Experiment Study On The Orientation Of Mental Number Line And SNARC Effect

The mechanism of number processing and it’s spatial representation mode are hot topics in the field of cognitive psychology. The mental number line and Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes effect, also known as SNARC effect, provide critical interpretations and proofs for the way numbers are spatially represented. However, details and defining conditions of how they exist still need further experimental research.Three experiments of timed odd-even judgment on one-digit Arabic numbers were carried out by adopting the improved Fischer et al’s experimental paradigm. We were trying to exclude factors of manual and motor association, to investigate the influence caused by experiences and habits, and to observe SNARC effect on more spatial directions, in order to discuss causes of the spatial bias as well as the interior mechanism of mental number line and SNARC effect.The main conclusions of the study as listed below:(1)SNARC effect was observed, which means saccade responses were initiated faster to the left in response to small digits and faster to the right in response to large digits. It showed that large digits were associated with the left side of space and small digits with the right side of space.(2) SNARC effect was observed, which means saccade responses were initiated faster to the lower space in response to small digits and faster to the upper space in response to large digits. It showed that large digits were associated with the upper space and small digits with the lower side of space.(3)SNARC effect was not observed when stimulus pictures were rotated clockwise for45°.