수 정보 처리 능력과 시공간적 작업기억이 수-공간 연합에 미치는 영향

초록

The SNARC(Spatial-Numerical Association of Response Codes) effect refers to the phenomenon that relatively smaller vs. larger numbers are processed more efficiently in the left vs. right side of space, respectively. The SNARC effect is a representative case of the number-space association. In relation to recent reports of a reduced SNARC effect in the mathematically skilled and high visuospatial ability groups, the present study examined whether individuals with high number acuity and visuospatial working memory capacity manifest a small SNARC effect. Number acuity refers to the sensitivity for the discrimination of numerosity which is thought to serve as one of the foundations for numerical cognition. Our results showed that a SNARC effect was observed only in the groups with low number acuity and visuospatial working memory. In contrast, there were no difference in the size of the SNARC effect between groups high and low in verbal working memory. These results suggest that individuals with high number acuity and visuospatial working memory may have a more flexible association between number and space depending on the task goal and context.

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