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Published on: November 30, 2018
Left-right compatibility in the processing of trading verbs
Carmelo M Vicario1, Raffaella I Rumiati2
1School of Psychology, The University of Queensland Brisbane, QLD, Australia ; Cognitive Neuroscience Sector, SISSA Trieste, Italy ; School of Psychology Bangor University, Bangor, UK.
Cognitive processes for economic outcomes show a left-right compatibility for trading verbs, linking gains to the right hand and losses to the left. This spatial mapping of valence was not observed for swapping verbs.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- The mental accounting model suggests individuals use cognitive operations to manage financial activities.
- Research is expanding on the cognitive processes underlying the representation of economic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the mental accounting hypothesis by examining cognitive processes in representing economic outcomes.
- To investigate the compatibility between hand movements and the valence of economic verbs.
Main Methods:
- Participants detected syntax errors in verbs related to trading (economic profit/loss), swapping, and thinking.
- Reaction times were measured for correct verb identification using left and right hand responses.
Main Results:
- A left-right compatibility effect was found for trading verbs: faster right-hand detection for gains, faster left-hand detection for losses.
- This spatial mapping of valence was not observed for swapping verbs, indicating domain-specific cognitive processes.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the mental accounting theory and the spatial mapping of valence hypothesis for economic trading verbs.
- The results suggest that cognitive representations of economic gains and losses are spatially mapped, influencing responseHandedness.
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