Objective
Mathematics is a fundamental tool by which we understand the universe, yet its cognitive and brain mechanisms are vastly understudied. I propose a systematic study of the human representation of mathematical concepts and their growth with education. The project will test the “language of thought” theory according to which humans share core concepts with other animals (numbers, objects, shapes, spatial maps) but the growth of math relies on a human symbolic composition system that recursively recombines those concepts into arbitrarily more complex expressions.
Work package (WP) 1 will generate maps of mathematical concepts in adults varying in education, using high-resolution single-subject 7T fMRI and MEG. The impact of education will be studied by testing concepts ranging from elementary to advanced, and by comparing adults whose education varies from high-school to professional math. Blind and high-functioning autism subjects will also be tested. WP2 will focus on 5 concepts of central importance in math (geometrical shape, pattern, set, number line, and graph). For each, we will map developmental change by acquiring behavioral and fMRI data in adults and children. The model predicts that concept acquisition can be modeled as a construction of increasingly complex mental expressions whose complexity is predicted by minimal description length (MDL). WP3 will map the brain changes during the acquisition of a math concept. Experiments will test the role of feedback, repetition, retrieval practice, sleep, conceptual diversity, and age, in facilitating behavioral and brain measures of conceptual change. Finally, WP4 will examine whether artificial neural networks can capture the above results and investigate how these networks can be enhanced to achieve human-like performance.
Overall, the results will shed light on how mathematical education changes the human brain and how conceptual change occurs, thus paving the way to real-life educational applications in schools.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75015 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.