Notation-dependent processing of numerical magnitude: electrophysiological evidence from Chinese numerals.
To investigate whether the semantic processing of numbers is notation-dependent or notation-independent, three notation stimuli-Arabic digits, Chinese numerals written in simple form (Ch-S), and Chinese numerals written in complex form (Ch-C)-were presented to participants. The participants were asked to judge which target numeral (numerical values 1-4 and 6-9) was "smaller or larger than 5" while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Electrophysiological results revealed that the voltage activity associated with numerical semantic processing was largest across temporo-occipital-parietal electrode sites, regardless of input formats. However, the time windows for the semantic processing of numerals did not overlap across notations. Furthermore, the main effects of notation and notation/distance interaction were still observed at the stage of numerical magnitude processing, suggesting that notation might affect the semantic processing of numbers. In addition, a right-lateralized N1 for both Arabic digits and Ch-C numbers, and a bilateral N1 for Ch-S numbers, were observed; these data imply that number processing in Chinese speakers may be different from that in Western speakers.
Cao
Bihua
B
School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
Li
Fuhong
F
Li
Hong
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D044466:Asian People; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D003265:Contingent Negative Variation; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult