The Universal SNARC Effect

• DOI: 10.1027/1618-3169.52.3.187
• Publication Date: 2005-06-14T21:57:04Z
• Authors: Hans-Christoph Nuerk; Guilherme Wood; Klaus Willmes
• Keywords: Amodal perception; Arabic numerals; Modality (human–computer interaction); Number line

Abstract. It is thought that number magnitude represented in an abstract and amodal way on a left-to-right oriented mental line. Major evidence for this idea has been provided by the SNARC effect ( Dehaene, Bossini, & Giraux, 1993 ): responses to relatively larger numbers are faster right hand, those smaller left even when irrelevant. The used index automatic access central semantic representation. However, assumption of modality independence never tested it remains uncertain if exists other modalities similar as visual modality. We have examined question systematically varying modality/notation (auditory word, Arabic numeral, dice pattern) within-participant design. was found consistently all conditions, including auditory presentation. size condition did not differ from any condition. conclude indeed general