title: Numerical-spatial representation affects spatial coding: binding errors across the numerical distance effect.
abstract: Does numerical-spatial representation affect feature binding? Studies of visual attention show that poor spatial coding leads to illusory conjunctions (ICs). In numerical cognition, it has been shown that numbers and space are not totally dissociated. This association underlies the numerical distance effect (DE): faster responses as the distance between the compared digits becomes larger (2 7 vs. 2 4). We used the DE to test whether numerical-spatial representation is available to visual processes that rely on spatial coding, such as feature binding. Participants reported the larger of two colored numbers. Both numerical distance (distances 2 and 5) and number-space congruity (e.g., congruent pair, 1 3; incongruent pair, 3 1) were analyzed. Results showed a higher proportion of ICs for distance 2 than for distance 5, providing strong evidence that numerical-spatial representation (1) entails a strong location code and (2) is available to visual processes that rely on location information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and the Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel, arend.psy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arend
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naparstek
authors.forename: Avishai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D011930:Reaction Time; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult