| Abstract: | The initial foundations of human mathematical reasoning appear to be based on “naïve mathematics”—specific and persistent privileged mental representations that develop as a normal part of the human evolved phenotype. Based on the proposed existence of privileged representations in the conceptual domain of mathematics, this paper incorporates findings from early development, childhood mathematical reasoning, and adult statistical decision-making research. The utility of such a framework is demonstrated by analyzing how common errors in fraction and decimal use are explicable in terms of these systematic and reliably developing aspects of human mathematical reasoning. Additionally, the idea that privileged representations continue to exert some influence beyond early childhood holds implications for both research and practice in mathematics education. |
