Abstract:
The Spatial-Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) effect (i.e., faster left/right sided responses to small/large magnitude numbers, respectively) is considered to be strong evidence for the link between numbers and space. Studies have shown considerable variation in this effect. Among the factors determining individual differences in the SNARC effect is the hand an individual uses to start the finger counting sequence. Left-starters show a stronger and less variable SNARC effect than right-starters. This observation has been used as an argument for the embodied nature of the SNARC effect. For this to be the case, one must assume that the finger counting sequence (especially the starting hand) is stable over time. Subsequent studies challenged the view that the SNARC differs depending on the finger counting starting hand. At the same time, it has been pointed out that the temporal stability of the finger counting starting hand should not be taken for granted. Thus, in this preregistered study, we aimed to replicate the difference in the SNARC between left- and right-starters and explore the relationship between the self-reported temporal stability of the finger counting starting hand and the SNARC effect. In line with the embodied cognition account, left-starters who declare more temporarily stable finger counting habits should reveal a stronger SNARC effect. Results of the preregistered analysis did not show the difference between left- and right-starters. However, further exploratory analysis provided weak evidence that this might be the case. Lastly, we found no evidence for the relationship between finger counting starting hand stability and the SNARC effect. Overall, these results challenge the view on the embodied nature of the SNARC effect.
摘要:
响应码的空间-数值关联(SNARC)效应(即对小/大幅度数字的左/右响应更快,分别)被认为是数字和空间之间联系的有力证据。研究表明,这种效果存在很大差异。在确定SNARC效应中的个体差异的因素中,个体用于开始手指计数序列的手。左启动器显示出比右启动器更强且变量更小的SNARC效应。这一观察结果已被用作SNARC效应体现性质的论据。对于这种情况,必须假设手指计数序列(尤其是起始手)随着时间的推移是稳定的。随后的研究挑战了SNARC根据手指计数起始手而有所不同的观点。同时,有人指出,手指计数起始手的时间稳定性不应被视为理所当然。因此,在这项预先注册的研究中,我们旨在复制左侧和右侧起动器之间SNARC的差异,并探索手指计数起始手的自我报告的时间稳定性与SNARC效应之间的关系。根据具体的认知账户,宣布更暂时稳定的手指计数习惯的左先者应该显示更强的SNARC效应。预先注册的分析结果未显示左启动器和右启动器之间的差异。然而,进一步的探索性分析提供了可能是这种情况的弱证据。最后,我们没有发现手指计数起始手稳定性与SNARC效应之间关系的证据。总的来说,这些结果挑战了人们对SNARC效应体现性质的看法。