Cognitive control in number processing: new evidence from task switching
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Cognitive control in number processing: new evidence from task switching Andreas Schliephake1 · J. Bahnmueller2 · K. Willmes3 · K. Moeller1,2,4 Received: 3 June 2019 / Accepted: 4 September 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
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.
Introduction 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). One focus was on the influence of cognitive control designating the ability of the human cognitive system “to configure itself for the performance of specific tasks through appropriate adjustments in perceptual selection, response biasing, and the on-line maintenance of contextual information (Botvinick, Braver, Barch, Carter, & Cohen, 2001, p. 624)”. However, so far an influence of cognitive control on numerical cognition was primarily investigated when evaluating rather * Andreas Schliephake a.schliephake@iwm‑tuebingen.de 1
Leibniz-Institut fuer Wissensmedien, Schleichstr. 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
2
Centre for Mathematical Cognition, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
3
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
4
Department of Psychology and LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
passive adaptation to stimulus set characteristics (Huber et al., 2013; Huber, Moeller, & Nuerk, 2014; Macizo & Herrera, 2011; Moeller, Klein, & Nuerk, 2013) or order (Macizo & Herrera, 2013; Pfister, Schroeder, & Kunde, 2013). Evidence for an influence of more active instantiations of cognitive control on numerical cognition is still scarce. By active we refer to situations, in which participants have to actively exert cognitive control to coordinate actions for the task
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