Numbers are associated with different types of spatial information depending on the task

In this study, we examined the nature of the spatial-numerical associations underlying the SNARC-effect by imposing a verbal or spatial working memory load during a parity judgment and a magnitude comparison task. The results showed a double dissociation between the type of working memory load and type of task. The SNARC-effect disappeared under verbal load in parity judgment and under spatial load in magnitude comparison. These findings provide the first direct empirical evidence against the view that all behavioral signatures of spatial-numerical associations have their origin in a common spatial code. Instead they show that numbers are associated with different spatial codes which, depending on the task, have a visuospatial or verbally mediated nature.