Notation-dependent processing of numerical magnitude: Electrophysiological evidence from Chinese numerals

作者：Cao, Bihua; Li, Fuhong; Li, Hong^*

来源：Biological Psychology, 2010, 83(1): 47-55.

DOI：10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.10.003

• Chinese numbers
• Notation effect
• Distance effect
• Notation-dependent
• Numerical comparison

To investigate whether the semantic processing of numbers is notation-dependent or notation-independent, three notation stimuli-Arabic digits, Chinese numerals written in simple form (Ch-S), and Chinese numerals written in complex form (Ch-C)-were presented to participants. The participants were asked to judge which target numeral (numerical values 1-4 and 6-9) was "smaller or larger than 5" while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Electrophysiological results revealed that the voltage activity associated with numerical semantic processing was largest across temporo-occipital-parietal electrode sites, regardless of input formats. However, the time windows for the semantic processing of numerals did not overlap across notations. Furthermore, the main effects of notation and notation/distance interaction were still observed at the stage of numerical magnitude processing, suggesting that notation might affect the semantic processing of numbers. In addition, a right-lateralized NI for both Arabic digits and Ch-C numbers, and a bilateral N1 for Ch-S numbers, were observed; these data imply that number processing in Chinese speakers may be different from that in Western speakers.

• 出版日期2010-1
• 单位西南大学