David Barner
@drbarner.bsky.social
Professor of Psychology at UCSD interested in language & conceptual development.
Reposted by David Barner
Super fun paper on the role of sensorI-motor procedures in 1-to-1 set matching in blind children and adults, with the effulgent @urvi.bsky.social . Procedures that blind kids use for counting 1-1 don’t help set matching 1-1 unlike in sighted kids!
Just in: @drbarner.bsky.social & I find that blind adults and children who have symbols for large numbers, and use 1:1 correspondence to count, do not extend a similar 1:1 strategy to a set-matching task, which assesses their knowledge of Hume’s principle. A 🧵:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Exact numerical reasoning in blind children and adults
What is the origin of exact numerical reasoning in humans? Previous studies report that innumerate humans are unable to recognize that two sets placed…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Super fun paper on the role of sensorI-motor procedures in 1-to-1 set matching in blind children and adults, with the effulgent @urvi.bsky.social . Procedures that blind kids use for counting 1-1 don’t help set matching 1-1 unlike in sighted kids!
Reposted by David Barner
Just in: @drbarner.bsky.social & I find that blind adults and children who have symbols for large numbers, and use 1:1 correspondence to count, do not extend a similar 1:1 strategy to a set-matching task, which assesses their knowledge of Hume’s principle. A 🧵:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Exact numerical reasoning in blind children and adults
What is the origin of exact numerical reasoning in humans? Previous studies report that innumerate humans are unable to recognize that two sets placed…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Just in: @drbarner.bsky.social & I find that blind adults and children who have symbols for large numbers, and use 1:1 correspondence to count, do not extend a similar 1:1 strategy to a set-matching task, which assesses their knowledge of Hume’s principle. A 🧵:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Super fun paper on the role of sensorI-motor procedures in 1-to-1 set matching in blind children and adults, with the effulgent @urvi.bsky.social . Procedures that blind kids use for counting 1-1 don’t help set matching 1-1 unlike in sighted kids!
Just in: @drbarner.bsky.social & I find that blind adults and children who have symbols for large numbers, and use 1:1 correspondence to count, do not extend a similar 1:1 strategy to a set-matching task, which assesses their knowledge of Hume’s principle. A 🧵:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Exact numerical reasoning in blind children and adults
What is the origin of exact numerical reasoning in humans? Previous studies report that innumerate humans are unable to recognize that two sets placed…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Super fun paper on the role of sensorI-motor procedures in 1-to-1 set matching in blind children and adults, with the effulgent @urvi.bsky.social . Procedures that blind kids use for counting 1-1 don’t help set matching 1-1 unlike in sighted kids!
My career has finally made contact with the culture wars. I can now start a podcast and start plotting an exclusive counterculture college.
Don't like AI, don't use it. Don't like cars, don't drive one. Don't like abortion, don't get one. etc.
October 25, 2025 at 6:13 PM
My career has finally made contact with the culture wars. I can now start a podcast and start plotting an exclusive counterculture college.
OMG stop it with the AI jobs in psychology. Let the datascience bubble burst first, ok???
October 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
OMG stop it with the AI jobs in psychology. Let the datascience bubble burst first, ok???
Reposted by David Barner
My paper "Base structures across lexical and notational numeral modalities" (PhilTransB) addresses a whole class of questions around the role that semiotic modality, and specifically number words vs. number symbols, plays in the structure of numerical systems.
Base structures across lexical and notational numeral modalities | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
The base concept in number systems is realized differently across multiple representational modalities—frameworks that incorporate sensory channel, medium of expression and semantic structures into integrated semiotic systems. Because these three factors ...
royalsocietypublishing.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
My paper "Base structures across lexical and notational numeral modalities" (PhilTransB) addresses a whole class of questions around the role that semiotic modality, and specifically number words vs. number symbols, plays in the structure of numerical systems.
A new paper w/ the inimitable Sebastian Holt (now at N.Western w/ Dedre Gentner). Kids are slow to learn rules that govern number words. We ask: is this because young kids CAN'T learn such rules, or b/c of the kinds of (base-10) systems they're exposed to? royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/epdf/10....
Can preschoolers learn the syntax of number? Using rules to combine familiar and novel number words
royalsocietypublishing.org
October 20, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A new paper w/ the inimitable Sebastian Holt (now at N.Western w/ Dedre Gentner). Kids are slow to learn rules that govern number words. We ask: is this because young kids CAN'T learn such rules, or b/c of the kinds of (base-10) systems they're exposed to? royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/epdf/10....
Finally a chance to celebrate this paper with @ebruevcen.bsky.social. Conditionals often have 2 meanings. The statement, “If you mow the lawn, you will get $5”, might mean that mowing the lawn is just one way to earn $5 or that it’s the ONLY way – a meaning sometimes called Conditional Perfection.
Now out in Open Mind!
@drbarner.bsky.social and I find that when people hear a conditional statement like “If you mow the lawn, you’ll get $5,” they often interpret it as “only if you mow the lawn”, a pragmatic, perfected meaning.
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
@drbarner.bsky.social and I find that when people hear a conditional statement like “If you mow the lawn, you’ll get $5,” they often interpret it as “only if you mow the lawn”, a pragmatic, perfected meaning.
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
Already Perfect: Language Users Access the Pragmatic Meanings of Conditionals First
Abstract. Conditional statements often have two interpretations. For instance, the statement, “If you mow the lawn, you will receive $5”, might be understood to mean that mowing the lawn is just one p...
doi.org
October 16, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Finally a chance to celebrate this paper with @ebruevcen.bsky.social. Conditionals often have 2 meanings. The statement, “If you mow the lawn, you will get $5”, might mean that mowing the lawn is just one way to earn $5 or that it’s the ONLY way – a meaning sometimes called Conditional Perfection.
Reposted by David Barner
Now out in Open Mind!
@drbarner.bsky.social and I find that when people hear a conditional statement like “If you mow the lawn, you’ll get $5,” they often interpret it as “only if you mow the lawn”, a pragmatic, perfected meaning.
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
@drbarner.bsky.social and I find that when people hear a conditional statement like “If you mow the lawn, you’ll get $5,” they often interpret it as “only if you mow the lawn”, a pragmatic, perfected meaning.
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
Already Perfect: Language Users Access the Pragmatic Meanings of Conditionals First
Abstract. Conditional statements often have two interpretations. For instance, the statement, “If you mow the lawn, you will receive $5”, might be understood to mean that mowing the lawn is just one p...
doi.org
September 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Now out in Open Mind!
@drbarner.bsky.social and I find that when people hear a conditional statement like “If you mow the lawn, you’ll get $5,” they often interpret it as “only if you mow the lawn”, a pragmatic, perfected meaning.
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
@drbarner.bsky.social and I find that when people hear a conditional statement like “If you mow the lawn, you’ll get $5,” they often interpret it as “only if you mow the lawn”, a pragmatic, perfected meaning.
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
Reposted by David Barner
Today I had a curious encounter with my 4-yo son. He told me he discovered that his Batman action figure could switch the Batman logo to something else. He showed me, touched its arm, shook it and said: “there, it changed.”
The thing is: the logo is fixed and cannot change. So what had happened?
The thing is: the logo is fixed and cannot change. So what had happened?
September 4, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Today I had a curious encounter with my 4-yo son. He told me he discovered that his Batman action figure could switch the Batman logo to something else. He showed me, touched its arm, shook it and said: “there, it changed.”
The thing is: the logo is fixed and cannot change. So what had happened?
The thing is: the logo is fixed and cannot change. So what had happened?
Reposted by David Barner
My lab is hiring a lab manager! Application deadline = 11/1, start date sometime between June & September 2026 (to be arranged with finalist). Please spread the word & apply here: opportunities.columbia.edu/jobs/a3f80f7....
#AcademicSky #PhdSky #PsychSciSky #SocialPsyc #DevPsyc #psychjobs
#AcademicSky #PhdSky #PsychSciSky #SocialPsyc #DevPsyc #psychjobs
Research Staff Assistant - Morningside, New York, United States
Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $41,000- $41,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of fa...
opportunities.columbia.edu
September 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
My lab is hiring a lab manager! Application deadline = 11/1, start date sometime between June & September 2026 (to be arranged with finalist). Please spread the word & apply here: opportunities.columbia.edu/jobs/a3f80f7....
#AcademicSky #PhdSky #PsychSciSky #SocialPsyc #DevPsyc #psychjobs
#AcademicSky #PhdSky #PsychSciSky #SocialPsyc #DevPsyc #psychjobs
Reposted by David Barner
Philosophy Dept @ U of Toronto invites applications for 7 #philjobs incl
Asst Prof – Metaphysics & Epistemology, St. George Campus (deadline: Nov 3): jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
Asst Prof – Philosophy & Statistics, St. George Campus (deadline: Nov 4): jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
#philsci
Asst Prof – Metaphysics & Epistemology, St. George Campus (deadline: Nov 3): jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
Asst Prof – Philosophy & Statistics, St. George Campus (deadline: Nov 4): jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
#philsci
Assistant Professor - Metaphysics and Epistemology
Assistant Professor - Metaphysics and Epistemology
jobs.utoronto.ca
August 21, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Philosophy Dept @ U of Toronto invites applications for 7 #philjobs incl
Asst Prof – Metaphysics & Epistemology, St. George Campus (deadline: Nov 3): jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
Asst Prof – Philosophy & Statistics, St. George Campus (deadline: Nov 4): jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
#philsci
Asst Prof – Metaphysics & Epistemology, St. George Campus (deadline: Nov 3): jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
Asst Prof – Philosophy & Statistics, St. George Campus (deadline: Nov 4): jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
#philsci
Reposted by David Barner
Thrilled to have another CogSci in the books!
Curious about how children learn what age is? Check out my poster with @drbarner.bsky.social here: qr.codes/yjFi54
Curious about how children learn what age is? Check out my poster with @drbarner.bsky.social here: qr.codes/yjFi54
August 20, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Thrilled to have another CogSci in the books!
Curious about how children learn what age is? Check out my poster with @drbarner.bsky.social here: qr.codes/yjFi54
Curious about how children learn what age is? Check out my poster with @drbarner.bsky.social here: qr.codes/yjFi54
Reposted by David Barner
PsyArXiv is seeking new moderators to help combat an increase in AI submissions! If you've ever posted a preprint to PsyArXiv, please consider joining. Minimum commitment 1h/month, there's a training session this Monday @ 1pm ET. More info here: forms.gle/9LB1rEtxHAeZ... #PsychSciSky
Expression of Interest in Serving as a PsyArXiv Moderator
As you might have heard, PsyArXiv is having some issues with an increase in low-quality submissions, ranging from AI generated manuscripts to inflate citation metrics, incoherent or nonsensical docume...
forms.gle
August 15, 2025 at 5:31 PM
PsyArXiv is seeking new moderators to help combat an increase in AI submissions! If you've ever posted a preprint to PsyArXiv, please consider joining. Minimum commitment 1h/month, there's a training session this Monday @ 1pm ET. More info here: forms.gle/9LB1rEtxHAeZ... #PsychSciSky
1/ Dunno if anyone else cares about this, but a few years ago it became impossible to dumb-phone your iPhone using screentime settings (e.g., to remove web browser, etc.) b/c Safari just reappears in the App library. I recently discovered a way around this that cut my screen time by 2-3 hours a day.
August 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
1/ Dunno if anyone else cares about this, but a few years ago it became impossible to dumb-phone your iPhone using screentime settings (e.g., to remove web browser, etc.) b/c Safari just reappears in the App library. I recently discovered a way around this that cut my screen time by 2-3 hours a day.
Susan Carey mic-drop at #cogsci2025. "There are no innate concepts: Discuss"
August 2, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Susan Carey mic-drop at #cogsci2025. "There are no innate concepts: Discuss"
Reposted by David Barner
Next Monday 6/30, join us for session 3 on 🛠️Problem Solving🧠 !
Register here for Zoom link: stanford.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Attending CogSci in person this July? Submit an abstract to showcase your work at our poster session! forms.gle/SHFChMAAReto...
Register here for Zoom link: stanford.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Attending CogSci in person this July? Submit an abstract to showcase your work at our poster session! forms.gle/SHFChMAAReto...
🧩 On problem solving (6/30, 2-3pm PT): Kelsey Allen, @bonan.bsky.social @ranjaykrishna.bsky.social
June 26, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Next Monday 6/30, join us for session 3 on 🛠️Problem Solving🧠 !
Register here for Zoom link: stanford.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Attending CogSci in person this July? Submit an abstract to showcase your work at our poster session! forms.gle/SHFChMAAReto...
Register here for Zoom link: stanford.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Attending CogSci in person this July? Submit an abstract to showcase your work at our poster session! forms.gle/SHFChMAAReto...
Reposted by David Barner
🚨 5 days left!
Submit your proposal for the ✨Broadening Participation in Cognitive Science✨ initiative.
Grants up to $5,000 to support projects that advance accessibility & inclusion in #CogSci
🗓️Deadline: June 13
🔗 cognitivesciencesociety.org/broadening-p...
Submit your proposal for the ✨Broadening Participation in Cognitive Science✨ initiative.
Grants up to $5,000 to support projects that advance accessibility & inclusion in #CogSci
🗓️Deadline: June 13
🔗 cognitivesciencesociety.org/broadening-p...
We're inviting proposals for the ✨Broadening Participation in Cognitive Science initiative✨, with grants of up to $5,000 to support events or projects that increase accessibility and inclusion in #CogSci
Deadline: June 13 🗓️
Learn more and apply at cognitivesciencesociety.org/broadening-p...
Deadline: June 13 🗓️
Learn more and apply at cognitivesciencesociety.org/broadening-p...
June 8, 2025 at 9:28 PM
🚨 5 days left!
Submit your proposal for the ✨Broadening Participation in Cognitive Science✨ initiative.
Grants up to $5,000 to support projects that advance accessibility & inclusion in #CogSci
🗓️Deadline: June 13
🔗 cognitivesciencesociety.org/broadening-p...
Submit your proposal for the ✨Broadening Participation in Cognitive Science✨ initiative.
Grants up to $5,000 to support projects that advance accessibility & inclusion in #CogSci
🗓️Deadline: June 13
🔗 cognitivesciencesociety.org/broadening-p...
Reposted by David Barner
Delighted to announce our CogSci '25 workshop at the interface between cognitive science and design 🧠🖌️!
We're calling it: 🏺Minds in the Making🏺
🔗 minds-making.github.io
June – July 2024, free & open to the public
(all career stages, all disciplines)
We're calling it: 🏺Minds in the Making🏺
🔗 minds-making.github.io
June – July 2024, free & open to the public
(all career stages, all disciplines)
June 6, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Delighted to announce our CogSci '25 workshop at the interface between cognitive science and design 🧠🖌️!
We're calling it: 🏺Minds in the Making🏺
🔗 minds-making.github.io
June – July 2024, free & open to the public
(all career stages, all disciplines)
We're calling it: 🏺Minds in the Making🏺
🔗 minds-making.github.io
June – July 2024, free & open to the public
(all career stages, all disciplines)
Fun new paper led by Sebastian Holt, training adults on artificial number systems. Most work tests only base-10 learning; we trained adults on a range of base systems & manipulated whether numbers were learned as part of a counting system, or unordered words. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Learning a Novel Number System: The Role of Compositional Rules and Counting Procedures
Humans count to indefinitely large numbers by recycling words from a finite list, and combining them using rules—for example, combining sixty with unit labels to generate sixty-one, sixty-two, and so...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Fun new paper led by Sebastian Holt, training adults on artificial number systems. Most work tests only base-10 learning; we trained adults on a range of base systems & manipulated whether numbers were learned as part of a counting system, or unordered words. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by David Barner
If you haven't been looking recently at the Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (oecs.mit.edu), here's your reminder that we are a free, open access resource for learning about the science of mind.
Today we are launching our new Thematic Collections to organize our growing set of articles!
Today we are launching our new Thematic Collections to organize our growing set of articles!
May 30, 2025 at 12:18 AM
If you haven't been looking recently at the Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (oecs.mit.edu), here's your reminder that we are a free, open access resource for learning about the science of mind.
Today we are launching our new Thematic Collections to organize our growing set of articles!
Today we are launching our new Thematic Collections to organize our growing set of articles!
Reposted by David Barner
UC San Diego Psychology hosted the first Southern California Meeting for Investigations in Developmental Science (SoCal MInDS) this Saturday. We were joined by wonderful folks from the southernmost UC campuses, SDSU, CSULA, Occidental College, and USC.
May 21, 2025 at 12:49 AM
UC San Diego Psychology hosted the first Southern California Meeting for Investigations in Developmental Science (SoCal MInDS) this Saturday. We were joined by wonderful folks from the southernmost UC campuses, SDSU, CSULA, Occidental College, and USC.
OMG Fodor was right!
Dear neuroscientists,
The brain cannot generate information about the world de novo, it's impossible.
All the brain can do is:
1. Selectively remove info that is irrelevant.
2. Re-emit info previously absorbed via evolution or memory.
Our brain never "creates" information. Never.
🧠📈 🧪
The brain cannot generate information about the world de novo, it's impossible.
All the brain can do is:
1. Selectively remove info that is irrelevant.
2. Re-emit info previously absorbed via evolution or memory.
Our brain never "creates" information. Never.
🧠📈 🧪
May 15, 2025 at 1:58 AM
OMG Fodor was right!