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Children's spatial-numerical associations on horizontal, vertical, and sagittal axes
Sarah M Cooney1, Corinne A Holmes1, Fiona N Newell1
1School of Psychology and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
|May 6, 2021
Summary
Children map numbers onto space across vertical, horizontal, and sagittal dimensions, even at a young age. This spatial-numerical association demonstrates flexible number representation from early childhood.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The spatial-numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect demonstrates a link between number magnitude and horizontal space.
- Limited research exists on how numerical magnitude is represented on vertical and sagittal spatial axes, especially in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of spatial-numerical associations on vertical, horizontal, and sagittal axes in children.
- To determine if children can flexibly map numerical magnitude onto different spatial dimensions.
Main Methods:
- Two groups of children (5-7 and 8-9 years) performed a single-digit magnitude comparison task.
- Response buttons were arranged vertically (upper/lower), horizontally (left/right), and sagittally (near/far).
- Experiment 1b manipulated hand position to differentiate between extracorporeal space and spatio-anatomical mapping.
Main Results:
- Evidence of spatial-numerical mapping was found on all three spatial axes (vertical, horizontal, sagittal) for both age groups.
- The strength of these associations was comparable across axes and age groups.
- Swapping hand positions did not yield significant SNARC effects, suggesting limited influence of extracorporeal space or spatio-anatomical mapping.
Conclusions:
- Children as young as 5 years old can flexibly assign numerical magnitude to any spatial dimension, indicating early development of 3D mental number lines.
- Spatial-numerical associations appear robust across different spatial axes, even in early childhood.
- Future research should explore the precise mechanisms underlying these multi-dimensional spatial-numerical mappings.
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