Academic Journal
Flexibility in abstract thought: Context-dependent representations of integer magnitude.
| Τίτλος: | Flexibility in abstract thought: Context-dependent representations of integer magnitude. |
|---|---|
| Συγγραφείς: | Vest NA; School of Teaching and Learning, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. vestnicholas@ufl.edu., Alibali MW; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. |
| Πηγή: | Psychonomic bulletin & review [Psychon Bull Rev] 2026 Sep 22; Vol. 33 (7). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Sep 22. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article; Review |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Springer] Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9502924 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1531-5320 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10699384 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Psychon Bull Rev Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: <2013-> : [New York : Springer] Original Publication: Austin, TX : Psychonomic Society, Inc., c1994- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Thinking*/physiology , Cognitive Flexibility* , Mathematical Concepts* , Mathematics*, Humans ; Concept Formation |
| Περίληψη: | Negative numbers are challenging because they lack direct perceptual referents and require reasoning about magnitude in a relational, bi-directional manner. This review examines how people represent and use integer magnitude on the mental number line, a cognitive tool that learners initially use for positive numbers, focusing on the flexibility with which this tool is deployed across contexts. Synthesizing evidence from cognitive psychology, developmental science, and mathematics education, we evaluate three broad accounts: componential accounts, which treat sign and magnitude as separable symbolic elements; extension accounts, which posit a continuous magnitude representation extending across zero; and reflection accounts, which propose a symmetry-based organization of magnitude around zero. Across experimental paradigms, task formats, and age groups, findings reveal substantial variability in behavioral signatures of integer processing. We argue that this variability reflects context-dependent recruitment of multiple co-existing representations rather than a single, fixed structure or a stage-like developmental progression. On this view, the mental number line functions as a dynamic cognitive tool that can be reparameterized in the moment to support rule-based, analog, or relational reasoning. Understanding how integer magnitude is flexibly represented and used provides insight into the mechanisms of abstract thought, coordination of representations, and conceptual change. (© 2026. The Psychonomic Society, Inc.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Conflicts of interest/Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Ethics approval: Not applicable. Consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Cognitive flexibility; Conceptual change; Integer representation; Mental number line; Numerical cognition |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260922 Date Completed: 20260922 Latest Revision: 20261008 |
| Update Code: | 20261008 |
| DOI: | 10.3758/s13423-026-02977-6 |
| PMID: | 42773365 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
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