Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
09:41
Estimation of Contact Regions Between Hands and Objects During Human Multi-Digit Grasping
Published on: April 21, 2023
Getting a grip on numbers: numerical magnitude priming in object grasping
Oliver Lindemann1, Juan M Abolafia, Giovanna Girardi
1Nijmegen Institute for Cognition and Information, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands. o.lindemann@nici.ru.nl
Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance
|December 19, 2007
Summary
This study reveals that number size influences grasping actions, with smaller numbers priming faster precision grips and larger numbers priming faster power grips. This suggests shared cognitive codes for numerical magnitude and motor planning.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Numerical cognition and action planning are fundamental cognitive processes.
- The relationship between abstract numerical representations and concrete motor actions is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional link between numerical cognition and action planning.
- To determine if numerical properties influence the execution of grasping actions.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed grasping responses based on the parity of Arabic digits.
- Grasping kinematics, including reaction time and grip aperture, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Precision grips were initiated faster for small numbers; power grips were faster for large numbers.
- A larger maximum grip aperture was observed for large numbers.
- Reaction time effects persisted when controlling for finger count but vanished during pointing tasks.
Conclusions:
- Numerals prime size-related motor features, influencing action planning.
- Number representations and action planning likely share common cognitive codes within a generalized magnitude system.
