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Updated: May 30, 2026
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Multimedia Battery for Assessment of Cognitive and Basic Skills in Mathematics (BM-PROMA)
Published on: August 28, 2021
Semantic processing in the production of numerals across notations
1Departamento de Psicologia Basica y Metodologia, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain. aherrera@um.es
Summary
This study explored how we name different number formats. Naming Arabic digits and number words was faster with semantic blocking, unlike Roman numerals and physical quantities, suggesting distinct processing routes.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psycholinguistics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Understanding numeral processing is key to cognitive science.
- Different number notations (e.g., Arabic digits, Roman numerals) may involve distinct cognitive pathways.
- Previous research utilized semantic blocking to probe language processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive processing stages involved in naming numerals across various notations.
- To compare the effects of semantic blocking on naming Arabic digits, number words, physical numerosity, and Roman numerals.
- To provide evidence for or against existing models of numeral naming.
Main Methods:
- Employed the semantic blocking paradigm, a technique from psycholinguistic studies.
- Presented participants with numerals in different formats (Arabic digits, number words, physical numerosity, Roman numerals).
- Analyzed reaction times and accuracy under blocked versus mixed semantic contexts.
Main Results:
- A facilitative effect was observed for Arabic digits and number words in a semantically blocked context compared to a mixed context.
- Conversely, an interference effect emerged for physical numerosity and Roman numerals under the blocked condition.
- These findings indicate differential processing routes based on numeral notation.
Conclusions:
- Arabic digits and number words appear to be named via an asemantic route, similar to each other.
- Naming physical numerosity and Roman numerals necessitates a mandatory semantic route.
- The results support models differentiating numeral processing based on symbolic representation and semantic involvement.
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