The last decade has seen a rapid growth in our understanding of the cognitive systems that underlie mathematical learning and performance, and an increased recognition of the importance of this topic. This book showcases international research on the most important cognitive issues that affect mathematical performance across a wide age range, from early childhood to adulthood. The book considers the foundational competencies of nonsymbolic and symbolic number processing before discussing arithmetic, conceptual understanding, individual differences and dyscalculia, algebra, number systems, reasoning and higher-level mathematics such as formal proof. Drawing on diverse methodology from behavioural experiments to brain imaging, each chapter discusses key theories and empirical findings and introduces key tasks used by researchers. The final chapter discusses challenges facing the future development of the field of mathematical cognition and reviews a set of open questions that mathematical cognition researchers should address to move the field forward. This book is ideal for undergraduate or graduate students of psychology, education, cognitive sciences, cognitive neuroscience and other academic and clinical audiences including mathematics educators and educational psychologists.
The book traces the development of mathematical skills from basic number concepts to mathematical proofs, emphasising the hierarchical nature of mathematical development from early childhood to research-level mathematics.
"Not only does this book provide up-to-date, accurate summaries of topics that have been well studied (basically aspects of mathematics acquired in the first decade of life among most children in Western and East Asian countries), it also examines less-studied topics that are likely to become increasingly important in the future, such as number systems, mathematical argumentation, and proof. Everyone interested in mathematical cognition will want to have this book." - Robert Siegler, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
"The field of mathematical cognition has grown tremendously over the past few decades. This book, written by three leading experts, provides a comprehensive summary and analysis of these advances. It represents an invaluable resource not only for those interested in mathematical cognition but also for instructors teaching courses on this field and their undergraduate and graduate students." - Daniel Ansari, The University of Western Ontario, Canada
"An Introduction to Mathematical Cognition is a much-welcomed addition to this growing and important literature. The volume is written by three highly respected scientists and covers an impressive range of topics from our evolved number sense to students' understanding of mathematical proofs. It will be of interest to experts in the field and students wanting to learn more about the field." - David C. Geary, University of Missouri, USA
"An impressively coherent, systematic and clear introduction into the cognitive systems that underlie mathematical learning and performance from early childhood to adulthood, relying on a rich diversity of behavioural and neuroscientific methods. A vital book for students and researchers in mathematical cognition and adjacent fields." - Lieven Verschaffel, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
