Graspable objects shape number processing
The field of numerical cognition represents an interesting case for action-based theories of cognition, since number is a special kind of abstract concept. Several studies have shown that within the parietal lobes adjacent neural regions code numerical magnitude and grasping-related information. Thi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2011-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnhum.2011.00147/full |
| _version_ | 1818206047092867072 |
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| author | Mariagrazia eRanzini Mariagrazia eRanzini Luisa eLugli Filomena eAnelli Rossella eCarbone Roberto eNicoletti Anna M Borghi Anna M Borghi |
| author_facet | Mariagrazia eRanzini Mariagrazia eRanzini Luisa eLugli Filomena eAnelli Rossella eCarbone Roberto eNicoletti Anna M Borghi Anna M Borghi |
| author_sort | Mariagrazia eRanzini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The field of numerical cognition represents an interesting case for action-based theories of cognition, since number is a special kind of abstract concept. Several studies have shown that within the parietal lobes adjacent neural regions code numerical magnitude and grasping-related information. This anatomical proximity between brain areas involved in number and sensorimotor processes may account for interactions between numerical magnitude and action. In particular, recent studies has demonstrated a causal role of action perception on numerical magnitude processing. If objects are represented in terms of actions (affordances), the causal role of action on number processing should extend to the case of objects affordances. This study investigates the relationship between numbers and objects affordances in two experiments, without (Experiment 1) or with (Experiment 2) a motor action execution (i.e., participants were asked to hold an object in their hands during the task). The task consisted in repeating aloud the odd or even digit within a pair depending on the type of the preceding or following object. Order of presentation (object-number vs. number-object), object type (graspable vs. ungraspable), object size (small vs. large), and Numerical magnitude (small vs. large) were manipulated for each experiment. Experiment 1 showed a facilitation – in terms of quicker responses - for graspable over ungraspable objects preceded by numbers, and an effect of numerical magnitude after the presentation of graspable objects. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the action execution enhanced overall the sensitivity to numerical magnitude, however interfering with the effects of objects affordances on number processing. Overall, these findings demonstrate that numbers and graspable objects communicate with each other, supporting the view that abstract concepts may be grounded in motor experience. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T04:06:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-22b28572e4ca4e2a953b9b7fa1ad0d0b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5161 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T04:06:49Z |
| publishDate | 2011-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-22b28572e4ca4e2a953b9b7fa1ad0d0b2022-12-22T00:38:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience1662-51612011-12-01510.3389/fnhum.2011.0014715930Graspable objects shape number processingMariagrazia eRanzini0Mariagrazia eRanzini1Luisa eLugli2Filomena eAnelli3Rossella eCarbone4Roberto eNicoletti5Anna M Borghi6Anna M Borghi7University of BolognaUniversity of PadovaUniversity of BolognaUniversity of BolognaUniversity of BolognaUniversity of BolognaUniversity of BolognaInstitute of Cognitive Science and Technology, CNRThe field of numerical cognition represents an interesting case for action-based theories of cognition, since number is a special kind of abstract concept. Several studies have shown that within the parietal lobes adjacent neural regions code numerical magnitude and grasping-related information. This anatomical proximity between brain areas involved in number and sensorimotor processes may account for interactions between numerical magnitude and action. In particular, recent studies has demonstrated a causal role of action perception on numerical magnitude processing. If objects are represented in terms of actions (affordances), the causal role of action on number processing should extend to the case of objects affordances. This study investigates the relationship between numbers and objects affordances in two experiments, without (Experiment 1) or with (Experiment 2) a motor action execution (i.e., participants were asked to hold an object in their hands during the task). The task consisted in repeating aloud the odd or even digit within a pair depending on the type of the preceding or following object. Order of presentation (object-number vs. number-object), object type (graspable vs. ungraspable), object size (small vs. large), and Numerical magnitude (small vs. large) were manipulated for each experiment. Experiment 1 showed a facilitation – in terms of quicker responses - for graspable over ungraspable objects preceded by numbers, and an effect of numerical magnitude after the presentation of graspable objects. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the action execution enhanced overall the sensitivity to numerical magnitude, however interfering with the effects of objects affordances on number processing. Overall, these findings demonstrate that numbers and graspable objects communicate with each other, supporting the view that abstract concepts may be grounded in motor experience.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnhum.2011.00147/fullnumberactionobjectaffordance |
| spellingShingle | Mariagrazia eRanzini Mariagrazia eRanzini Luisa eLugli Filomena eAnelli Rossella eCarbone Roberto eNicoletti Anna M Borghi Anna M Borghi Graspable objects shape number processing Frontiers in Human Neuroscience number action object affordance |
| title | Graspable objects shape number processing |
| title_full | Graspable objects shape number processing |
| title_fullStr | Graspable objects shape number processing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Graspable objects shape number processing |
| title_short | Graspable objects shape number processing |
| title_sort | graspable objects shape number processing |
| topic | number action object affordance |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnhum.2011.00147/full |
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