• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.159-187
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• 2014

Approximate number sense(hereafter, ANS) is the ability to compare and operate upon numerosity information. The numerosity comparison task is used to measure ANS. However, there is considerable variance among previous reports of ANS acuity which may be related to different task formats used. Here, we aim to investigate whether the format of the numerosity comparison task influences measurements of ANS acuity. We compared two task formats; 1) an intermixed format presenting two intermixed arrays of black and white dots, and 2) a side-by-side format showing two arrays of dots side by side. The intermixed format likely makes additional demands on general cognitive resources for inhibitory control, selective attention, or visuospatial working memory. The performance on the intermixed format was significantly lower than that of the side-by-side format resulting in an underestimation of ANS acuity compared to the expected trajectory of ANS development. In addition, the ANS acuity measured from only the side-by-side format was correlated with children's mathematical achievement and age. Our results demonstrate that measurement of ANS from the side-by-side format has higher construct and predictive validity compared to that of the intermixed format.