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Spatial Presentations, but Not Response Formats Influence Spatial-Numerical Associations in Adults
Ursula Fischer1,2,3, Stefan Huber3, Hans-Christoph Nuerk3,4
1Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
Frontiers in Psychology
|January 9, 2019
Summary
Embodied numerosity theories suggest number processing links to bodily experiences. This study found the Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) effect is enhanced by number lines, while numerical congruity effects depend on the absence of external number line aids.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Embodied numerosity theories posit that numerical magnitude processing is grounded in physical and bodily experiences.
- The interaction between spatial representations of numbers and physical movement is established, but the role of movement extent remains unclear.
- This study investigates how response movement extent and the presence of a number line influence spatial-numerical associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine whether the extent of physical response movements modulates spatial-numerical associations.
- To determine if presenting a spatial representation of numbers (a number line) influences these associations.
- To differentiate between the Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) effect and the numerical congruity effect (NCE).
Main Methods:
- Adult participants completed magnitude classification and magnitude comparison tasks.
- The Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) effect was measured via number-response associations.
- The numerical congruity effect (NCE) was assessed by comparing response times for relative numerical judgments.
Main Results:
- A significant SNARC effect was observed, unaffected by response movement extent but strengthened by the presence of a number line.
- The NCE was only present when no number line was provided, suggesting it relies on relative magnitude processing.
- These findings indicate that SNARC and NCE reflect distinct cognitive processes.
Conclusions:
- The SNARC effect appears to be an automated classification of numbers, amplified by visual number line aids.
- The NCE likely involves more deliberate relative magnitude processing, potentially disrupted by external number line presentations.
- Developmental differences suggest the influence of physical experience versus presentation format on spatial-numerical associations may change with age.
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