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Selective interference of grasp and space representations with number magnitude and serial order processing
Jean-Philippe van Dijck1,2, Wim Fias3, Michael Andres3,4
1Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. jeanphilippe.vandijck@ugent.be.
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|December 16, 2014
Summary
This study reveals how number magnitude and serial order interact with physical actions. Small numbers speed up precision grips, while movement direction depends on number sequence position, not magnitude.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Theories suggest a generalized magnitude system links space, time, and number representation.
- Previous research used stimulus-response compatibility to link number magnitude with spatial and grasp representations.
- Existing tasks often fail to separate number magnitude from serial order processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To disentangle the effects of number magnitude and serial order on action.
- To investigate the relationship between number processing and distinct motor responses (grasping vs. left-right movements).
- To test how working memory (WM) influences these interactions.
Main Methods:
- A working memory task requiring participants to memorize number sequences.
- Experiment 1: Participants performed precision or whole-hand grips in response to numbers during the retention interval.
- Experiment 2: Participants executed uni-manual left/right button presses in response to numbers during the retention interval.
Main Results:
- Experiment 1: Small numbers accelerated precision grips compared to whole-hand grips, independent of serial position.
- Experiment 2: Right button presses were faster than left presses as serial position increased, unaffected by number magnitude.
- The findings indicate distinct overlaps between grasping, left-right movements, and number magnitude versus serial order processing.
Conclusions:
- Grasping actions are linked to the magnitude dimension of number processing.
- Left-right movements are associated with the serial order dimension of number processing.
- The study provides evidence for distinct neural pathways underlying number-action interactions.
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