Abstract
Recently, it was demonstrated that even basic numerical cognition such as the processing of number magnitude is under cognitive control. However, evidence so far primarily came from adaptation effects to stimulus characteristics (e.g., relative frequency of specific stimulus categories). Expanding this approach, we evaluated a possible influence of more active exertion of cognitive control on basic number processing in task switching. Participants had to perform a magnitude comparison task while we manipulated the order of compatible and incompatible input–output modalities (i.e., auditory/vocal input–visual/manual output vs. auditory/visual input–manual/vocal output, respectively) on the trial level, differentiating repeat vs. switch trials. Results indicated that the numerical distance effect but not the problem size effect was increased after a switch in input–output modality compatibility. In sum, these findings substantiate that basic number processing is under cognitive control by providing first evidence that it is influenced by the active exertion of cognitive control as required in task switching.
Highlights
In recent years, the impact of domain-general cognitive abilities on numerical cognition has gained increasing research interest (e.g., Cowan & Powell, 2014; Geary, 2011; Hohol, Cipora, Willmes, & Nuerk, 2017; Passolunghi and Lanfranchi, 2012; Peng, Namkung, Barnes, & Sun, 2016)
In case we find alterations to these numerical effects in a task switching paradigm, this would indicate an influence of the active exertion of cognitive control on basic number processing
Adding to previous studies on cognitive control in numerical cognition, we evaluated whether the active exertion of cognitive control in task switching altered the numerical distance effect and/or problem size effect, both of these hallmark effects reflecting core number magnitude processing
Summary
The impact of domain-general cognitive abilities on numerical cognition has gained increasing research interest (e.g., Cowan & Powell, 2014; Geary, 2011; Hohol, Cipora, Willmes, & Nuerk, 2017; Passolunghi and Lanfranchi, 2012; Peng, Namkung, Barnes, & Sun, 2016). Evidence that number processing is under cognitive control was primarily derived from results indicating that participants adapt to changing stimulus set characteristics as reflected by alterations of the unit-decade compatibility and/ or numerical distance effect (e.g., Moeller et al, 2013). Huber et al (2013) substantiated this argument in an eye-tracking study by observing that with increasing percentages of withindecade filler items participants fixated the unit digits more prominently—indicating their increased decision relevance As such, this indicates that number processing is adapted to stimulus set characteristics. In Huber et al (2016) model of multi-digit number magnitude comparison, the respective modulations of the unit-decade compatibility effect can be accounted for by a cognitive control node adapting to the decision relevance of units, tens, hundreds, and so on All these findings provide converging evidence for the argument that number processing is under cognitive control. In line with preliminary observations of influences of task switching on number processing (e.g., Wendt et al, 2013), we predicted the numerical distance and problem size effect to be smaller in switch trials as compared to repeat trials
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