Embodied numerosity: Implicit hand-based representations influence symbolic number processing across cultures

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Title: Embodied numerosity: Implicit hand-based representations influence symbolic number processing across cultures
Authors: Domahs, Frank1,2,3 domahs@neuropsych.rwth-aachen.de, Moeller, Korbinian4, Huber, Stefan5, Willmes, Klaus1,3, Nuerk, Hans-Christoph4
Source: Cognition. Aug2010, Vol. 116 Issue 2, p251-266. 16p.
Subject Terms: *Counting, *Cognition, Finger calculation, Human information processing, Arithmetic, Representation (Psychoanalysis), Germans, Chinese people
Abstract: Abstract: In recent years, a strong functional relationship between finger counting and number processing has been suggested. Developmental studies have shown specific effects of the structure of the individual finger counting system on arithmetic abilities. Moreover, the orientation of the mental quantity representation (“number line”) seems to be influenced by finger counting habits. However, it is unclear whether the structure of finger counting systems still influences symbolic number processing in educated adults. In the present transcultural study, we pursued this question by examining finger-based sub-base-five effects in an Arabic number comparison task with three different groups of participants (German deaf signers, German and Chinese hearing adults). We observed sub-base-five effects in all groups, but particularly so for both German groups who use an explicit sub-base-five system in their finger counting habits. It is concluded that bodily experiences – namely finger counting – influence the structure of the abstract mental number representations even in adults. Thus, the present findings support the general idea that even seemingly abstract cognition may at least partially be rooted in our bodily experiences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Copyright of Cognition is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Cognition%22">Cognition</searchLink>. Aug2010, Vol. 116 Issue 2, p251-266. 16p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Counting%22">Counting</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognition%22">Cognition</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Finger+calculation%22">Finger calculation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human+information+processing%22">Human information processing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Arithmetic%22">Arithmetic</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Representation+%28Psychoanalysis%29%22">Representation (Psychoanalysis)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Germans%22">Germans</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Chinese+people%22">Chinese people</searchLink>
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  Data: Abstract: In recent years, a strong functional relationship between finger counting and number processing has been suggested. Developmental studies have shown specific effects of the structure of the individual finger counting system on arithmetic abilities. Moreover, the orientation of the mental quantity representation (“number line”) seems to be influenced by finger counting habits. However, it is unclear whether the structure of finger counting systems still influences symbolic number processing in educated adults. In the present transcultural study, we pursued this question by examining finger-based sub-base-five effects in an Arabic number comparison task with three different groups of participants (German deaf signers, German and Chinese hearing adults). We observed sub-base-five effects in all groups, but particularly so for both German groups who use an explicit sub-base-five system in their finger counting habits. It is concluded that bodily experiences – namely finger counting – influence the structure of the abstract mental number representations even in adults. Thus, the present findings support the general idea that even seemingly abstract cognition may at least partially be rooted in our bodily experiences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Cognition is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1016/j.cognition.2010.05.007
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              Text: Aug2010
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