Der Kompatibilitätseffekt in der Zahlenverarbeitung : eine ereigniskorrelierte EEG-Untersuchung

When participants are asked to compare a pair of two-digit Arabic numbers with regard to numerical size, previous studies have shown them to respond faster and at a lower error rate if both the magnitude comparisons of the decade digits and the unit digits lead to the same response. In contrast, if the two comparisons require different decisions reaction times and error rate will increase. This experimental effect is known as the unit-decade-compatibility effect (Nuerk, Weger & Willmes, 2001). Given that the cognitive task of numerical magnitude comparison can be decomposed into three processing stages beginning with the visual identification of the digits, followed by semantic processing and ending in a motor response, it remains unclear at which stage the interference of unit-decade-compatibility arises. Being allocated to the semantic processing stage the compatibility effect questions the idea of magnitude representation as a single analogue mental number line (Nuerk et al., 2001, 2004, 2005). The present study aimed to find out the functional locus of the unit-decade-compatibility effect by recording event-related potentials (ERPs) in 12 healthy participants engaged in a magnitude comparison task. While there were only minor differences between compatible and incompatible trials in stimulus-locked ERPs, response-locked ERPs revealed a significant compatibility effect over inferior and superior parietal areas in a late time window 88 – 212ms before button press. On the other hand, lateralized readiness potentials over motor areas suggested that the compatibility effect was independent from response preparation or execution. Our results support the idea of a late, yet semantic emergence of unit-decade-compatibility.

Grantor dc:publisher

Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen University

Year dc:date

2007

Author dc:creator

• Clemens, Sabrina

Contributors dc:contributor

• Willmes-von Hinckeldey, Klaus

• info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/610
• Elektroencephalogramm
• Medizin
• Kompatibilitätseffekt
• EKP
• lateralisiertes Bereitschaftspotenzial
• compatibility effect
• ERP
• LRP

Statement dc:rights

• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Language dc:language

ger

Identifier

https://publications.rwth-aachen.de/search?p=id:%22RWTH-CONV-124158%22

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:publications.rwth-aachen.de:62599