The Unbearable Lightness of Attentional Cuing by Symbolic Magnitude: Commentary on the Registered Replication Report by Colling et al.

Fischer, Martin H.; Dodd, Michael D.; Castel, Alan D.; Pratt, Jay

doi:10.1177/2515245920902743

Cited by 10 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The polarity of numbers may cause an automatic shift in spatial attention and may lead to differential temporal processing for positive and negative numbers. The arguments invoking the influence of numbers on shifts of spatial attention need to be made with caution considering the recent failure of replication in a multilab study 45 , but also see 46 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attention mediates the influence of numerical magnitude on temporal processing

Shukla

Bapi

2021

Sci Rep

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The processing of time and numbers has been fundamental to human cognition. One of the prominent theories of magnitude processing, a theory of magnitude (ATOM), suggests that a generalized magnitude system processes space, time, and numbers; thereby, the magnitude dimensions could potentially interact with one another. However, more recent studies have found support for domain-specific magnitude processing and argued that the magnitudes related to time and number are processed through distinct mechanisms. Such mixed findings have raised questions about whether these magnitudes are processed independently or share a common processing mechanism. In the present study, we examine the influence of numerical magnitude on temporal processing. To investigate, we conducted two experiments using a temporal comparison task, wherein we presented positive and negative numerical magnitudes (large and small) in a blocked (Experiment-1) and intermixed manner (Experiment-2). Results from experiment-1 suggest that numerical magnitude affects temporal processing only in positive numbers but not for negative numbers. Further, results from experiment-2 indicate that the polarity (positive and negative) of the numbers influences temporal processing instead of the numerical magnitude itself. Overall, the current study seems to suggest that cross-domain interaction of magnitudes arises from attentional mechanisms and may not need to posit a common magnitude processing system.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attention mediates the influence of numerical magnitude on temporal processing

Shukla

Bapi

2021

Sci Rep

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“…Thus, in Experiment 1 digits may have operated as an exogenous cue, but the need for memorization in Experiment 2 has similarities to endogenous cuing. Deeper, conceptual, processing can promote spatial cuing with visual numbers (Fischer et al, 2020); and processing was most likely deeper in Experiment 2 due to the memory requirement. Lastly, it may be worthwhile to attempt a replication to sort out these issues, particularly because spatial cuing effects from visual numbers have mixed results (Colling et al, 2020; Fischer et al, 2003, 2020; Zanolie & Pecher, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numbers in short-term memory bias auditory spatial perception.

Anderson¹,

Kaminski²,

Mock³

et al. 2021

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Perfor

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The cognitive penetration literature suggests that top-down knowledge influences perception, but whether such influences exist is controversial. We tested for top-down influences on perception by loading short-term memory with digits and then had participants make perceptual judgments to index spatial hearing. Memory of spatial number codes were predicted to bias spatial judgments to the left for small digits and rightward for larger digits. Participants encoded one or more digits and then made spatial judgments in either spatial hearing or dichotic listening tasks. Results across five experiments supported the predicted spatial biases. Digits had to be deliberately encoded, and at least two were needed to be memorized before a small number left-right bias in dichotic listening was evident. In dichotic listening, smaller numbers in memory also promoted more intrusions, and a mix of small and large numbers enhanced the right ear advantage. Results suggest that long-term knowledge about number magnitude imparts a top-down bias on auditory spatial perception.

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“…These points are theoretically important to our understanding of the links between numbers and space, as was acknowledged by Fischer et al (2020) in their commentary on the unsuccessful multi-laboratory replication of Colling and colleagues (2020). Fischer and colleagues point towards the purity and robustness of links between space and numbers.…”

Section: The Two Messages Of Att-snarcmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…On the basis of a recently developed framework for directional Spatial-Numerical Associations (SNAs; Cipora et al, 2018), we focus on (1) why the original study gained so much interest, or what Att-SNARC seemed to tell us about number processing that other SNAs did not, and (2) what new developments (including the multi-laboratory replication) can and cannot tell us in the context of Att-SNARC. At the same time, we challenge the statement made by the authors of the original Att-SNARC paper (Fischer et al, 2020) in their commentary on the multilaboratory replication of Colling and colleagues (2020).…”

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confidence: 81%

What the Attentional-SNARC and its (null) replications can and cannot tell us

Cipora¹,

Nuerk²

2020

Preprint

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In response to a recent point raised by Fischer at al. (2020), we discuss the theoretical implications of both the original Attentional SNARC (Att-SNARC) and its recent failed multi-laboratory replication. In our view, the theoretical importance of the original Att-SNARC can be summarized in two points: (1) there is a conceptual link between numbers and space, which can be observed as Spatial-Numerical Associations, and (2) Spatial-Numerical Associations are involuntary and automatic. We conclude that convergent evidence from other paradigms saves the first point from being challenged in light of the failed replication; but, on the other hand, empirical evidence for the second point no longer holds.

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The Unbearable Lightness of Attentional Cuing by Symbolic Magnitude: Commentary on the Registered Replication Report by Colling et al.

Cited by 10 publications

References 30 publications

Attention mediates the influence of numerical magnitude on temporal processing

Attention mediates the influence of numerical magnitude on temporal processing

Numbers in short-term memory bias auditory spatial perception.

What the Attentional-SNARC and its (null) replications can and cannot tell us

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