3 ms·

Consider visually processing (counting at a glance): X X X X and X X X X X How many are in the first? How many in the second? It's my rule of thumb that al

• MauranKilom 5y ago
  The "counting low numbers of things instantly" thing has a name: Subitizing. It's quite the fascinating topic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subitizing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subitizing Also, it's apparently not restricted to counting: > A 2006 study demonstrated that subitizing and counting are not restricted to visual perception, but also extend to tactile perception, when observers had to name the number of stimulated fingertips.[7] A 2008 study also demonstrated subitizing and counting in auditory perception.[8] Even though the existence of subitizing in tactile perception has been questioned,[9] this effect has been replicated many times and can be therefore considered as robust.[10][11][12] The subitizing effect has also been obtained in tactile perception with congenitally blind adults.[13] Together, these findings support the idea that subitizing is a general perceptual mechanism extending to auditory and tactile processing.
• uuddlrlr 5y ago
  I learned in a documentary that pople who play some video games can immediately recognize 5-7. They tested with a handful of grapes. I can reliably recognize up to 6 in most cases.
• lindseymysse 5y ago
  That is really interesting. I added a comment below: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28988027 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28988027 I wonder if that has something to do with it