Numerical Architecture

The idea that there is a “Number Sense” (Dehaene, 1997) or “Core Knowledge” of number ensconced in a modular processing system (Carey, 2009) has gained popularity as the study of numerical cognition has matured. However, these claims are generally made with little, if any, detailed examination of which modular properties are instantiated in numerical processing. In this article, I aim to rectify this situation by detailing the modular properties on display in numerical cognitive processing. In the process, I review literature from across the cognitive sciences and describe how the evidence reported in these works supports the hypothesis that numerical cognitive processing is modular. I outline the properties that would suffice for deeming a certain processing system a modular processing system. Subsequently, I use behavioral, neuropsychological, philosophical, and anthropological evidence to show that the number module is domain specific, informationally encapsulated, neurally localizable, subject to specific pathological breakdowns, mandatory, fast, and inaccessible at the person level; in other words, I use the evidence to demonstrate that some of our numerical capacity is housed in modular casing.     

Cross-modal recognition of shape from hand to eyes and handedness in human newborns

The present research addresses the question of the generality of the ability to transfer shape information from one hand to the eyes recently evidenced in human newborns. Using an intersensory paired-preference procedure, we confirmed that newborns can visually recognize the shape of an object that they have previously manipulated with their right hand, out of sight. However, the results revealed that this ability is absent when the left hand is involved. Handedness in cross-modal transfer task is discussed in relation to other behavioral asymmetries in newborns. Taken together, the present research confirms the existence in some conditions of an early fragile ability to extract shape information in a tactual format and transfer it to a visual format, independent of common experience.     

“全球医学教育最基本要求”的研究与在中国的实践

由国际医学教育委员会(IIME)研究和建立的“全球医学教育最基本要求”(GMER)规定了在任何国家培养的医生都应该达到的在医学知识、技能、职业态度、行为和价值观等方面的最基本要求。本文简要介绍GMER的7个领域和具体的60条标准,并与前不久世界医学教育联合会和WHO西太区医学教育协会制定的医学教育国际标准加以比较,归纳出GMER的特点是关注本科医学教育的最终产出,而不是教育的过程。IIME还研究建立了与GMER的7个领域60条标准相配套的三大类评估工具,即笔试、客观结构化临床考试和观察。据悉,GMER已被翻译为包括中文在内的14种文字,它在全球的影响将越来越大,值得我们深入研究。