Egocentric reference in bidirectional readers as measured by the straight-ahead pointing task

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Linguistics

Background:

• Egocentric reference (ER) is crucial for spatial cognition, acting as an anchor for movements.
• Directional factors like reading habits and visual scanning bias can influence visuospatial performance.
• Previous research suggests bidirectional readers exhibit less consistent spatial biases than unidirectional readers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how bidirectional reading and language exposure affect the position of egocentric reference (ER).
• To determine the influence of reading direction and second language literacy on spatial cognition and bias.

Main Methods:

• A straight-ahead pointing task was used to assess egocentric reference in participants.
• Four groups were compared: unidirectional left-to-right readers (Uni-LR), bidirectional readers with low (Lo-Bi-RL) and high (Hi-Bi-RL) English literacy, and native bidirectional readers (Bi-LR).
• Participants pointed straight-ahead while blindfolded, using either left-to-right or right-to-left scanning.

Main Results:

• Uni-LRs showed scanning-direction-dependent biases.
• Bi-LRs and Lo-Bi-RLs exhibited opposite biases compared to Uni-LRs.
• Hi-Bi-RLs displayed a consistent left-side spatial bias irrespective of scanning direction.

Conclusions:

• Bidirectional reading and varying levels of second language literacy interact to shape egocentric reference.
• High literacy in a second language with a different reading direction can lead to a stable spatial bias.
• The findings highlight the dynamic interplay between reading habits, language exposure, and spatial cognition.