selected RESEARCH topics

Evolutionary aspects of math

Basic math, such as estimating different magnitudes (quantity, length, etc.) is thought to be an ability that humans and non-humans share. Understanding such abilities in animals can shed light into the evolutionary origins of math. For that purpose we use the archer fish as an animal model. The archer fish hunt by shooting a jet of water on insects resting on a foliage above the water level.  In the lab the fish can be trained to respond to targets presented on a screen above the water level. Since fish and humans diverged over 200 million years ago, the fish performance can tell us which abilities existed even in the fish and were maybe preserved throughout evolution. 

In collaboration with the Evolutionary Cognitive Neuroscience Lab

The role of sub-cortical areas in numerical cognition

Research into brain areas involved in math is usually focused on cortical areas, which are the most recently evolved brain areas in evolution. However, recent studies points to possible involvement of sub-cortical areas not only in basic functions, but also in high cognitive functions. 

We study the involvement of sub-cortical areas in different math abilities, such as enumeration and number comparison

In collaboration with the Evolutionary Cognitive Neuroscience Lab and the Numbers Laboratory 

The development of the concept of number

It has long been assumed that humans (and other animals) are born with a "number sense": the ability to perceive and estimate quantities. It was also claimed that people who are better at discriminating between quantities will also be better at math. 

We claim that the ability to understand number is not innate but develops with age, and requires general abilities such as language and cognitive control.

Testing this hypothesis can have implication on preschool math curricula and the diagnosis and amelioration of math learning difficulties.