"A Brain for Numbers" with Andreas Nieder (BS 170)
/
BS 170 is an interview with Andreas Nieder, author of A Brain for Numbers: The Biology of the Number Instinct. We talk about the surprising discovery that a wide variety of animals have a number instinct, which is called the approximate number system. This appears to provide the basis for the more abstract mathematical abilities that are seen in humans. We also explore the relationship between mathematics and language.
How to get this episode:
Buy Episode Transcript for $3 (Premium link, also available to Patreon supporters).
Premium Subscribers have unlimited access to ALL old episodes and transcripts, as well as extra content for selected episodes.
Patreon supporters have access to new transcripts ($3+/month) and ad-free audio files ($10+/month)
New episodes of Brain Science are ALWAYS FREE. The most recent 50 episodes are also free. See the individual show notes for links to the audio files.
Important Reminder:
Patreon supporters need to go to Your Memberships to update their tiers (>$3/month for transcripts or >$10/month for ad-free audio).
Listen in your Favorite Audio app: Audible, Amazon music, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube and many more.
Links and References:
Andreas Nieder, PhD, University of Tübingen (Germany); publications
A Brain for Numbers: The Biology of the Number Instinct by Andreas Nieder
The Number Sense: How the Mind Creates Mathematics, Revised and Updated Edition (2011) by Stanislas Dehaene
Weber’s law—the higher the numerical values become the larger the distance between them has to be to detect the difference
Fechner’s Law:—the subjective sensation of a stimulus is proportional to the logarithm of the objective stimulus magnitude. See Wikipedia for Weber-Fechner law.
Brannon, E M, Terrace HS (1998). The ordering of the numerosities 1-9 by monkeys. Science, 282, 746-749.
Howard SR, et-al, (2018) Numerical ordering of zero in honey bees. Science, 360,1124-1126.
Please Visit Our Sponsors:
TextExpander at http://textexpander.com/podcast
Announcements:
In April 2020 Brain Science returns to a monthly schedule: it return to the 4th Friday of every month.
The expanded 2nd Edition of Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty will be published in late April or early May. See newsletter below for updates.
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month.
To win an Amazon gift certificate: post a review of Brain Science in iTunes and send me a screenshot.
Learn how you can support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.)
Send email to brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com or post voice feedback at http://speakpipe.com/docartemis.
Connect on Social Media:
Twitter: @docartemis
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/brainsciencepodcast
Contact Dr. Campbell:
Email: brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com
Voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/docartemis
