Human vision cannot count large numbers of items instantly without subitizing
Human vision relies on subitizing for the rapid and exact enumeration of small quantities (typically up to four items), while larger numbers of items cannot be counted instantly and instead require approximate estimation or serial counting.
The retrieved literature consistently supports the claim that human vision uses subitizing for small sets of items and approximate estimation for larger sets, without a mechanism for instantly counting large numbers precisely without subitizing or serial processes.
Hyde DC, Spelke ES. All numbers are not equal: an electrophysiological investigation of small and large number representations.. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2009.21090
Paper [0] demonstrates that humans process small numbers via subitizing as discrete items, whereas large numbers require approximate estimation.
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Ramakrishna Chakravarthi, Danai Papadaki, Jan Krajnik. Visual field asymmetries in numerosity processing. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-022-02585-1
Paper [3] highlights that small numbers are rapidly and accurately enumerated via subitizing, while larger numbers rely on approximate estimation.
Liu W, Wang C, Tian J, Cicchini GM. Subitizing endures in sequential rather than simultaneous comparison tasks.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/pchj.750
Paper [9] shows that subitizing is restricted to small quantities, whereas larger quantities trigger approximate estimation mechanisms.
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