Representational context modulates the direction and transiency of practice effects on SNARC

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• The Spatial-Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) effect links number magnitude to spatial response location.
• This effect aligns with the mental number line (MNL) concept but can be modulated by spatial-numerical mappings.
• Understanding factors influencing SNARC effect flexibility is crucial for cognitive research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how representational contexts (ruler vs. clockface) and spatial-numerical practices (MNL-compatible vs. MNL-incompatible) modulate the SNARC effect.
• To examine the transfer and persistence of SNARC effect practice effects over time.
• To determine if context influences the emergence and duration of SNARC effect modulations.

Main Methods:

• Experiment 1: Magnitude classification practice with MNL-compatible or incompatible mappings, followed by parity judgment tests at intervals (5 min, 1 day, 1 week).
• Experiment 2: Practice sessions incorporating ruler (MNL-consistent) or clockface (MNL-inconsistent) contexts during magnitude classification.
• Performance was assessed over time to evaluate practice effect transfer and persistence.

Main Results:

• MNL-compatible practice did not yield transferable effects.
• MNL-incompatible practice induced a reverse SNARC effect that persisted for up to one day.
• A ruler context eliminated the transfer of incompatible practice effects, while a clockface context reduced their persistence.

Conclusions:

• The SNARC effect's flexibility is demonstrated, with incompatible training capable of reversing the typical association.
• Representational context significantly impacts the SNARC effect's modifiability and persistence.
• Ruler contexts appear to stabilize the MNL representation, hindering practice-induced reversals, whereas clockface contexts offer less resistance.