Effects of Numerosity Range on Tactile and Visual Enumeration. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cohen, Zahira Z.; Henik, Avishai
• Other Names: Plaisier Myrthe A. guest-editor.; Kappers Astrid M. L. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Perception. Volume 45:Number 1/2(2016)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Enumeration -- subitizing -- finger counting -- embodied numerosity -- comparison -- tactile -- visual -- vibro-tactile stimuli -- range size -- numerosity range -- end effect; Perception -- Periodicals; Perception -- Periodicals; Perception; Periodicals; 153.705
• DOI: 10.1177/0301006615614662
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-0066

Abstract

Our study explores tactile enumeration using both hands and investigates the effects of numerosity range's (NR) on general enumeration. In Experiment 1, using custom-made vibro-tactile apparatus, we replicated results of Cohen, Naparstek, and Henik (2014, Acta Psychologica, 150C, 26–34) and again found a moderate increase in RT up to four stimuli and then a decrease for five stimuli. In Experiment 2, we used a within participants design and compared NR 1 to 5 and 1 to 10 in tactile and visual enumeration. The results showed that enumeration for NR 5 to 1 was faster than for NR 1 to 10, especially for numerosities four and five. Within NR 1 to 10, in the visual modality the subitizing range was 4, the counting range was from 5 to 9, and there was an end effect of 10 dots. In the tactile modality, when excluding one-hand arrangements, the subitizing range was 2, the counting range was from 3 to 5, there was an acceleration of counting from 5 and on, and there was an end effect for 10 stimuli that was stronger than for 10 visual stimuli. We suggest that NR influences enumeration and that number-hand association (i.e. resulting from finger counting) influences enumeration, resulting in faster counting.