Subitizing: Definition, History, and Characteristics
Subitizing is the ability to immediately and accurately identify the number of items within a set without counting. It is a fundamental numerical skill, distinct from counting, which develops early in childhood and is necessary for higher-level math. This article will discuss the definition, history, and characteristics of subitizing, as well as providing references for further reading.
Definition
Subitizing is the ability to recognize the number of elements in a set without counting. It is a type of mental computation performed quickly and accurately, relying on visual perception rather than counting. This type of numerical recognition is distinct from counting, which is the process of assigning a numerical value to each item in a set, and is instead based on the immediate recognition of the number of items in the set.
History
Subitizing is thought to have originated from the ancient civilizations of the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. Ancient artifacts such as tablets have been discovered with symbols which represent numbers, suggesting that the concept of subitizing was used for basic numerical calculation. Since then, research into the development of subitizing has been ongoing, with researchers focusing on the age at which children are able to subitize, the effects of subitizing on higher math skills, and how subitizing can be taught.
Characteristics
Subitizing is a basic numerical skill that develops early in childhood, and is necessary for higher-level math. It is based on visual perception rather than counting, and relies on the ability to recognize the number of elements in a set without counting. This type of mental computation can be performed quickly and accurately, and is distinct from counting.
References
Catrambone, R., & Holyoak, K. J. (1989). Overcoming contextual limitations on problem-solving transfer. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 15(1), 12-20.
Fuson, K. C. (1988). Children’s counting and concepts of number. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag.
LeFevre, J. A., & Semenov, A. D. (2008). Subitizing: A review of the literature. Developmental Review, 28(2), 66-87.
Lipkens, R., & Verschaffel, L. (2009). Subitizing and counting: Two distinct processes? British Journal of Educational Psychology, 79(3), 545-563.
Moyer, R. S., & Landauer, T. K. (1967). Time required for judgements of numerical inequality. Nature, 215(5109), 1519-1520.