The literature on numerical perception is reviewed from the standpoint of research on selective attention, and predictions are made concerning the dimensional interaction between physical and numerical size of numerals. We manipulated stimulus differences to make the classification of numerical value slightly better (Experiment 1), substantially better (Experiment 2), or worse (Experiments 3---4) than classification of physical size. Garner, Stroop, and redundancy effects were used to gauge the degree of interactive processing. For nearly matched discriminability, both number and size appeared separable when the dimensions were varied orthogonally, but showed Stroop interference and redundancy gain when the dimensions were varied in a correlative fashion. When mismatched, asymmetric Garner and Stroop effects emerged in orthogonal contexts along with Stroop and redundancy gains in correlative contexts. These findings define a unique relation: Numerical value and physical size were optionally separable dimensions. We conclude that a magnitude representation is not mandatory for the perception of numerals. Our conclusions offer a new perspective for understanding both numerical perception and the Stroop phenomenon itself.Seldom do we appreciate the paramount importance of numbers in our cognitive milieu. A number stands for our height, another for our IQ, a third indicates the balance in our checking account, a fourth our telephoneand the list is virtually inexhaustible. The ease with which we use numbers masks the fact that complex cognitive processes are required for the mere recognition of numerical stimuli or the execution of the simplest numerical comparisons and calculations. Tapping those processes poses a challenge for students of numerical cognition. In the present study we propose to use selective attention as a tool to uncover the nature of numerical perception. Simultaneously, we will use the results to reflect on models of selective attention itself. The classic measure of selective attention (indeed, its failure), of course, is that based on the seminal work of Stroop (1935), and Strooplike effects have been reported for numerical dimensions. However, recent research has shown Stroop interference to be malleable, its presence depending on several heretofore neglected experimental factors. Therefore, despite a substantial amount of empirical study, we still lack a wide theoretical understanding of the Stroop effect, and we have notoriously little insight into processes of'numerical cognition.This research was supported by Israel Science Foundation Grant 58-93 to D.A. We thank Helena Kadlec, Robert Melara, Michael Masson, and Lawrence Marks for many insightful comments that improved the manuscript. Bob Melara inspired D.A.'s interest in selective attention when they both enjoyed the hospitality and scholarship of Larry Marks in the Pierce Laboratory at Yale University. We appreciate their continuing interest and support. Thanks are also due to Yoav Arieh, Joseph Glickson, and Lilach Shalev for detailed ...

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Abstract. Public spaces are interactive by the very fact that they are designed to be looked at, walked around, and used by multitudes of people on a daily basis. Architects design such spaces to create physical scenarios for people to interact with, but this interaction will usually be one sided-the physical space does not usually change or react. In this paper we present three interaction design projects which add reactive dynamics into objects located in public spaces and in the process enhance the forms of interaction possible with them.

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