Abstract:

The relationship between density and numerosity cognition is a crucial question in numerosity research fields which could decide the existence of an independent mechanism in numerosity cognition. However, improvements are necessary for the discussion about the relationship in previous studies. Firstly, experimental studies should be more efficient in discriminating the density and numerosity processes. Secondly, related perspectives should be more comprehensive in demonstrating the relationship and mechanisms underlying these two processes. Thirdly, the cognitive models based on the existed theories should pay more attention on their theoretical meaning. In this review, these issues will be further discussed. Feature researches should discuss the probability on integrating the processing of numerosity based on the processing of density. Based on the discussion, a framework which integrated numerosity and density processing would be suggested.

Key words: numerosity cognition, density cognition, object representation, cognitive model