Numbers reorient visuo-spatial attention during cancellation tasks

Numbers induce shifts of spatial attention on the left or the right sides of external space as a function of their magnitude. However, whether this number–space association is restricted to the linear horizontal extensions, or extends to the whole visual scene, is still an open question. This study investigates, by means of a cancellation paradigm, the influence of numerical magnitude during scanning tasks in which participants freely explore complex visual scenes unconstrained towards either the horizontal or the vertical unidimensional axes. Five cancellation tasks were adapted in which Arabic digits were used as targets or distracters, in structured (lines and columns) or unstructured visual displays, with a smaller (2 or 3 types of distracters) or larger (10 or more types of distracters) sets of stimuli. Results show that the participants’ hits distribution was a function of number magnitude: shifted on the left for small and on the right for large numbers. This effect was maximised when numerical cues were sparse, randomly arranged and, critically, irrelevant to the task. Overall, this study provides novel evidence from visuo-spatial exploratory cancellation tasks for an attentional shift induced by number magnitude.

[1]  Takeshi Hatta,et al.  Spatial structure of quantitative representation of numbers: Evidence from the SNARC effect , 2004, Memory & cognition.

[2]  Juha Silvanto,et al.  Crossmodal interaction between the mental number line and peripersonal haptic space representation in sighted and blind individuals , 2010, Attention, perception & psychophysics.

[3]  Giovanni Galfano,et al.  Number magnitude orients attention, but not against one’s will , 2006, Psychonomic bulletin & review.

[4]  Victor W. Mark,et al.  Two-Dimensional Cancellation Neglect a Review and Suggested Method of Analysis , 1997, Cortex.

[5]  Giuseppe Vallar,et al.  Numbers and space: a cognitive illusion? , 2005, Experimental Brain Research.

[6]  D. Boisson,et al.  Does Action Make the Link Between Number and Space Representation? , 2004, Psychological science.

[7]  B. Bergum,et al.  Attention and performance IX , 1982 .

[8]  Ho-Chuan Huang,et al.  Visualized representation of visual search patterns for a visuospatial attention test , 2008, Behavior Research Methods.

[9]  Marco Zorzi,et al.  Visuospatial priming of the mental number line , 2008, Cognition.

[10]  Nadia Bolognini,et al.  Unilateral Spatial Neglect , 2021, Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology.

[11]  M. McCourt,et al.  Pseudoneglect: a review and meta-analysis of performance factors in line bisection tasks , 2000, Neuropsychologia.

[12]  M. Mesulam.  Attentional networks, confusional states, and neglect syndromes. , 2000 .

[13]  G. Ifrah,et al.  Histoire universelle des chiffres , 1981 .

[14]  M. H. Fischer,et al.  Number processing induces spatial performance biases , 2001, Neurology.

[15]  Jacob Cohen.  Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences , 1969, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design.

[16]  S. Dehaene.  Varieties of numerical abilities , 1992, Cognition.

[17]  J. D. Mollon,et al.  Vision out of the corner of the eye , 2011, Vision Research.

[18]  J. Zubin,et al.  Note on a transformation function for proportions and percentages. , 1935 .

[19]  Wim Gevers,et al.  Look, no hands: A perceptual task shows that number magnitude induces shifts of attention , 2008, Psychonomic bulletin & review.

[20]  Juha Silvanto,et al.  The middle range of the number line orients attention to the left side of visual space , 2009, Cognitive neuropsychology.

[21]  L. Swan,et al.  Unilateral spatial neglect. , 2001, Physical therapy.

[22]  B. Wilson,et al.  A short screening test for visual neglect in stroke patients. , 1990, International disability studies.

[23]  Paola Guariglia,et al.  Dissociation between physical and mental number line bisection in right hemisphere brain damage , 2005, Nature Neuroscience.

[24]  W. Schwarz,et al.  Psychophysiological evidence that the SNARC effect has its functional locus in a response selection stage. , 2005, Brain research. Cognitive brain research.

[25]  Wolf Schwarz,et al.  Moving the eyes along the mental number line: Comparing SNARC effects with saccadic and manual responses , 2004, Perception & psychophysics.

[26]  Daniela Mapelli,et al.  The SNARC effect: an instance of the Simon effect? , 2003, Cognition.

[27]  A. Kingstone,et al.  The eyes have it! Reflexive orienting is triggered by nonpredictive gaze , 1998 .

[28]  J. Pratt,et al.  Symbolic Control of Visual Attention , 2001, Psychological science.

[29]  Rosanna Genero,et al.  Are drawing perseverations part of the neglect syndrome? , 2009, Cortex.

[30]  K. Heilman,et al.  Pseudoneglect: Effects of hemispace on a tactile line bisection task , 1980, Neuropsychologia.

[31]  Marie-Pascale Noël,et al.  Images of numbers, or “when 98 is upper left and 6 sky blue” , 1992, Cognition.

[32]  Samar Zebian,et al.  Linkages between Number Concepts, Spatial Thinking, and Directionality of Writing: The SNARC Effect and the REVERSE SNARC Effect in English and Arabic Monoliterates, Biliterates, and Illiterate Arabic Speakers , 2005 .

[33]  Wim Fias,et al.  Automatic response activation of implicit spatial information: Evidence from the SNARC effect. , 2006, Acta psychologica.

[34]  Giuseppe Vallar,et al.  Spatial neglect and perseveration in visuomotor exploration. , 2012, Neuropsychology.

[35]  F. Pavani,et al.  Long-lasting capture of tactile attention by body shadows , 2005, Experimental Brain Research.

[36]  A. Kingstone,et al.  The number line effect reflects top-down control , 2006, Psychonomic bulletin & review.

[37]  J. Jonides.  Voluntary versus automatic control over the mind's eye's movement , 1981 .

[38]  Caterina Suitner,et al.  Groups in Space: Stereotypes and the Spatial Agency Bias , 2009 .

[39]  Marinella Cappelletti,et al.  The middle house or the middle floor: Bisecting horizontal and vertical mental number lines in neglect , 2007, Neuropsychologia.

[40]  FRANCIS GALTON,et al.  Visualised Numerals , 1880, Nature.

[41]  F. Restle.  Speed of Adding and Comparing Numbers. , 1970 .

[42]  Michael D. Dodd,et al.  Perceiving numbers causes spatial shifts of attention , 2003, Nature Neuroscience.

[43]  S. Weintraub,et al.  Mental state assessment of young and elderly adults in behavioral neurology , 1985 .

[44]  K. Priftis,et al.  Brain damage: Neglect disrupts the mental number line , 2002, Nature.