Finger counting habits modulate spatial-numerical associations.
This study explored the contribution of finger counting habits to the association of numbers with space (the SNARC effect). First, a questionnaire study indicated that two-thirds of 445 adults started counting on their left hand, regardless of their handedness. Secondly, a group of 53 "left-starters" but not a group of 47 "right-starters" showed a SNARC effect in a parity task. A significant difference in the strength of the effect between groups suggests that finger counting habits indeed contribute to the association between numbers and space in adults.
Fischer
Martin H
MH
School of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK. m.h.fischer@dundee.ac.uk
D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D005385:Fingers; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008433:Mathematics; D009949:Orientation; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology