Subitizing Is Sensitive to the Arrangement of Objects

Abstract

Subitizing is a fast and accurate enumeration process of small sets of usually less than four objects. Several models were proposed in the literature. Critically, only pattern recognition theory suggests that subitizing performance is sensitive to the arrangement of the array. In our study, arrays of dots in random or canonical arrangements were enumerated. The subitizing range was larger and the reaction time slope was less steep in the canonical arrangements. When noise was added to the canonical pattern, the reaction time slope was proportional to the amount of noise. Moreover, arrangement has a stronger effect on sets with more than four objects. These results support the pattern recognition model of subitizing.