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How to trigger and keep stable directional Space-Number Associations (SNAs)
Mario Pinto1, Michele Pellegrino2, Fabio Marson3
1Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
Summary
Directional Space-Number Associations (SNAs) are not absolute; they become clearer and more stable when spatial and numerical codes are fully integrated in tasks. This suggests SNAs arise from spatial response codes, not inherent number properties.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Experimental Psychology
Background:
- Humans often mentally organize numbers spatially, with smaller numbers typically to the left of larger ones.
- The exact cognitive mechanisms behind directional Space-Number Associations (SNAs) remain unclear despite extensive research.
- Previous work suggests SNAs might be linked to cultural reading habits and the mental number line.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional mechanisms underlying directional Space-Number Associations (SNAs).
- To determine if SNAs are binary phenomena or exist on a continuum.
- To explore the relationship between task design, spatial-numerical coding, and SNA stability.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three distinct Go/No-Go task variations.
- Intermixed numerical and arrow targets within experimental conditions.
- Analyzed the time-course of space-number congruency effects and reaction times.
Main Results:
- Directional SNAs are not "all or none" but vary in stability.
- SNA clarity and stability increase with the explicit combination of contrasting spatial and numerical codes.
- The presence or absence of SNAs was independent of reaction time speed.
Conclusions:
- Conceptualizing numbers spatially is dependent on the use of spatial codes within the specific task.
- Directional SNAs are likely secondary to the transfer of spatial response codes to numerical stimuli.
- SNAs do not appear to stem from inherent spatial properties of number representations.
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