Automatic activation of spatial-numerical association in a primed parity judgement task: Evidence from the number-line congruency effect

Abstract

Using a forward masked priming paradigm, the present parity judgement experiment examines how the automatic activation of spatial-numerical associations of single-digit primes and targets has an effect on the primed Spatial-Numerical Association Response Code (SNARC) effect. Both the parity priming effect (i.e., faster and more accurate responses when the prime and target are matched in parity) and the repetition-primed SNARC effect (i.e., responses to large numbers are faster when made by right hand than when made by left hand and the reverse is true for small numbers) are replicated. The nonrepetition-primed SNARC effect is stronger when the response (e.g., made by the left hand) to the target (e.g., 4) is congruent with the position of the prime on a mental number line (e.g., 6) than when it is incongruent (e.g., 1). This number-line congruency effect reflects the notion that the coactivation of spatial-numerical association of prime and target occurs even when the prime is masked and presented so rapidly that it cannot be processed via participants’ use of strategies.