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The processing of Arabic numbers is under cognitive control

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Abstract

In this study, we evaluated whether the processing of two-digit Arabic numbers is subject to cognitive control. Participants performed a number comparison task with unit–decade compatible trials (36–47) and unit–decade incompatible number pairs (37–46). The unit–decade compatibility (incompatible minus compatible trials) was considered an index of conflict situation in numerical processing. To examine whether participants adapted to numerical conflict, we manipulated the percentage of incompatible trials relative to the percentage of compatible trials (20, 50, 80 % incompatible trials). The unit–decade compatibility effect was modulated by the amount of incompatible trials: the compatibility effect decreased progressively as the percentage of incompatible trials increased. This result indicated that participants adapted to numerical conflict. The findings are discussed in terms of cognitive control. Implications for models of two-digit number processing are also addressed.

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Notes

  1. To control for between-subject differences in overall RT, we performed additional latency analyses with z scores computed for each participant individually. The results obtained with these data were the same as those reported with raw RT data. The Compatibility × Percentage of incompatibility interaction was significant, F(2, 93) = 4.19, p < 0.05, \( \eta_{\text{p}}^{2} \) = 0.08. The difference between compatible and incompatible trials was reduced in the 80 % incompatible condition relative to the 20 % incompatible condition t(62) = 2.57, p < 0.05.

  2. We thank Matthew Crump for suggesting the possible dissociation between local versus global cognitive control.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (research project PSI2009-11094) and by the Programa de Generación de Conocimiento Científico de Excelencia de la Fundación Séneca, Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Región de Murcia (research project 08741/PHCS/08). We would like to thank Ana María Flores and Verónica Juárez for running participants. Also, we are grateful to Klaus Willmes for comments on data reported in this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dpto. Psicología Experimental, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain

    Pedro Macizo

  2. University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain

    Amparo Herrera

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  1. Pedro Macizo
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  2. Amparo Herrera
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Correspondence to Pedro Macizo.

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Macizo, P., Herrera, A. The processing of Arabic numbers is under cognitive control. Psychological Research 77, 651–658 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-012-0456-6

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