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Spontaneous grip force fluctuations mirror semantic numerical magnitude processing: Larger numbers elicit larger
A Michirev1, O Lindemann2, K Kühne3
1Department of Performance Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Acta Psychologica
|August 29, 2024
Summary
Numbers influence physical actions. This study shows smaller numbers lead to weaker grip forces, while larger numbers result in stronger forces, supporting a generalized magnitude processing system.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Motor Control
Background:
- The relationship between abstract numerical concepts and physical actions is a key area in cognitive science.
- Previous research suggests cross-domain interactions between number processing and motor control, but the continuous nature of this link requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the continuous relationship between semantic numerical magnitudes and motor magnitudes.
- To determine if number processing directly influences motor behavior, specifically grip force.
- To provide behavioral evidence for a generalized magnitude processing system.
Main Methods:
- Recorded continuous grip force fluctuations from 43 healthy adults.
- Participants performed a symbolic magnitude comparison task involving number processing.
- Analyzed grip force changes in response to different numerical values.
Main Results:
- Number processing spontaneously induced grip force fluctuations.
- A positive correlation was observed: smaller numbers elicited lower grip forces, and larger numbers elicited higher grip forces.
- This demonstrates a graded influence of numerical semantics on motor output.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a generalized magnitude processing system that continuously quantifies responses across domains.
- This challenges binary models of cross-domain interactions, suggesting a more integrated cognitive architecture.
- Numerical magnitudes directly and continuously modulate motor behavior, such as grip force.
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