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Fan effects reveal position-specific numerical concepts.
1Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, 9 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A5. thp849@duke.usask.ca
Summary
Numerical fact retrieval is position-specific. Associative interference effects show that how numbers are positioned impacts retrieval speed and accuracy, suggesting concepts are location-dependent.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Numerical Cognition
Background:
- Associative interference, or fan effect, is a phenomenon in memory retrieval.
- Previous research has not clearly established if numerical concepts are position-specific during fact retrieval.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the numerical concepts used in retrieving arithmetic facts are position-specific.
- To determine if operand position influences associative interference effects in numerical fact retrieval.
Main Methods:
- Participants memorized "diamond arithmetic" facts involving five operands.
- Manipulated position-specific fan (operand position varied) and position-independent fan (operand position ignored).
- Measured trials to criterion, error rate, and latency.
Main Results:
- Position-specific fan significantly predicted trials to criterion, error rate, and latency.
- Position-independent fan did not show a similar predictive relationship.
- This indicates that the position of operands is a crucial factor.
Conclusions:
- The concepts mediating numerical fact retrieval are position-specific.
- Operand position influences the cognitive processes involved in accessing arithmetic knowledge.
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