The influence of string length and repetition on chunking of digit strings.
This study examined the effects of string length and repetitions on number processing with a data entry task. Participants read and entered strings of between three and eight digits and then typed them on the keypad of a computer. Chunking effects were found for all string lengths, with chunk sizes of as small as two digits. Chunk boundary placement varied depending on the length of a digit string, and chunking was avoided at positions between digit repetitions, even when those positions were otherwise common chunk boundaries. Digit repetitions significantly reduced the study time required to process a string prior to its entry. These results are interpreted as showing that flexible chunking strategies and the presence of repetitions are used to facilitate number processing.
Fendrich
David W
DW
Division of Social Sciences, Widener University, 1 University Place, Chester, PA 19013, USA. dfendrich@hotmail.com
Arengo
Raina
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011601:Psychophysics; D011930:Reaction Time; D012691:Serial Learning