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Intermediate coding versus direct mapping accounts for the SNARC effect: Santens and Gevers (2008) revisited
James E Vellan1, Craig Leth-Steensen1
1Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Cognition
|February 10, 2019
Summary
Replicating a prior study on the spatial-numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect, this research found the association between response location and number magnitude only for right-side responders, challenging existing theories.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- The spatial-numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect describes the tendency to associate smaller numbers with spatially closer responses and larger numbers with spatially farther responses.
- Intermediate coding accounts propose a mediating process for the SNARC effect, contrasting with direct spatial mapping accounts.
- A 2008 study by Santens and Gevers provided significant support for intermediate coding, influencing subsequent research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate the findings of Santens and Gevers (2008) regarding the SNARC effect and intermediate coding.
- To investigate the robustness of the SNARC effect with a larger sample size and identical methodology.
- To test the consistency of existing theoretical accounts (intermediate coding vs. direct mapping) with replication data.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed a single-digit magnitude judgment task.
- Responses were made using keys positioned close to or far from a central start key.
- Participants were divided into two groups: those responding to the left and those responding to the right of the middle key.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between closer responses and smaller numbers, and farther responses and larger numbers.
- This association was observed exclusively in the group of participants who responded to the right of the middle key.
- The SNARC effect was not observed for participants responding to the left of the middle key.
Conclusions:
- The replication partially supports the findings of Santens and Gevers (2008), but with a crucial difference in the observed SNARC effect.
- The results are consistent with direct spatial mapping and intermediate coding accounts for right-side responders.
- The absence of the SNARC effect for left-side responders presents a challenge to both current theoretical explanations.
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