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Negative numbers eliminate, but do not reverse, the attentional SNARC effect.
1Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68516, USA. mdodd2@unl.edu
Psychological Research
|April 10, 2010
Summary
Negative numbers eliminate the spatial numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect, which guides attention based on number magnitude. This finding offers new insights into how the attentional SNARC effect develops.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Experimental Psychology
Background:
- Number perception influences spatial attention.
- The spatial numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect links number magnitude to spatial location.
- Previous research shows low numbers direct attention left, high numbers direct attention right.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if negative numbers alter the attentional SNARC effect.
- To determine how number sign (positive vs. negative) interacts with spatial attentional orienting.
- To explore the developmental mechanisms of the attentional SNARC effect.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted.
- Participants were presented with irrelevant negative numbers at central fixation.
- Attentional orienting was measured in response to these stimuli.
Main Results:
- Negative numbers did not reverse the attentional SNARC effect.
- The presentation of negative numbers led to the elimination of the attentional SNARC effect.
- This suggests a modulation of spatial attention by number sign.
Conclusions:
- The attentional SNARC effect is sensitive to the sign of numbers presented.
- Negative numbers disrupt the typical spatial mapping of numerical magnitude.
- Findings provide crucial insights into the cognitive processes underlying the attentional SNARC effect.
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