"1-2-3": is there a temporal number line? Evidence from a serial comparison task.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Numerical Cognition

Background:

• The spatial-numerical association of response codes (SNARC) links number magnitude to spatial representations.
• Recent hypotheses propose a similar association between numbers and time perception.
• Understanding these associations is crucial for cognitive models of numerical processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential relationship between numerical magnitude and temporal order.
• To examine how temporal presentation affects digit comparison speed and accuracy.
• To explore the interplay of spatial and semantic effects in numerical cognition.

Main Methods:

• Participants compared digit pairs presented serially (one after another).
• Response times were measured for temporally ascending (e.g., 2-3) and descending (e.g., 3-2) digit pairs.
• Analysis included local and global spatial numerical association of response codes (SNARC) and semantic congruity effects (SCE).

Main Results:

• Temporally ascending digit pairs were responded to faster than descending pairs.
• Local SNARC and semantic congruity effects were observed.
• A global numerical SCE was found for descending pairs, but no global SNARC effect was detected.
• Response times were influenced by the temporal sequence of digit presentation.

Conclusions:

• The results support a connection between numerical cognition and the perception of temporal order.
• Overlearned forward associations, like counting sequences (e.g., "1-2-3"), may underlie these effects.
• Cognitive routines for sequencing events influence numerical processing and response strategies.