Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Psychological Research 4/2014

01-07-2014 | Original Article

The impact of finger counting habits on arithmetic in adults and children

Auteurs: Sharlene D. Newman, Firat Soylu

Gepubliceerd in: Psychological Research | Uitgave 4/2014

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Here, we explored the impact of finger counting habits on arithmetic in both adults and children. Two groups of participants were examined, those that begin counting with their left hand (left-starters) and those that begin counting with their right hand (right-starters). For the adults, performance on an addition task in which participants added 2 two-digit numbers was compared. The results revealed that left-starters were slower than right-starters when adding and they had lower forward and backward digit-span scores. The children (aged 5–12) showed similar results on a single-digit timed addition task—right-starters outperformed left-starters. However, the children did not reveal differences in working memory or verbal and non-verbal intelligence as a function of finger counting habit. We argue that the motor act of finger counting influences how number is represented and suggest that left-starters may have a more bilateral representation that accounts for the slower processing.
Literatuur
go back to reference Aglioti, S., Berlucchi, G., Pallini, R., Rossi, G. F., & Tassinari, G. (1993). Hemispheric control of unilateral and bilateral responses to lateralized light stimuli after Callosotomy and in Callosal Agenesis. Exp Brain Res, 95, 151–165.PubMedCrossRef Aglioti, S., Berlucchi, G., Pallini, R., Rossi, G. F., & Tassinari, G. (1993). Hemispheric control of unilateral and bilateral responses to lateralized light stimuli after Callosotomy and in Callosal Agenesis. Exp Brain Res, 95, 151–165.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Alibali, M. W., & DiRusso, A. A. (1999). The function of gesture in learning to count: more than keeping track. Cognitive Development, 14(1), 37–56.CrossRef Alibali, M. W., & DiRusso, A. A. (1999). The function of gesture in learning to count: more than keeping track. Cognitive Development, 14(1), 37–56.CrossRef
go back to reference Andres, M., Seron, X., & Olivier, E. (2007). Contribution of hand motor circuits to counting. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 19, 563–576.PubMedCrossRef Andres, M., Seron, X., & Olivier, E. (2007). Contribution of hand motor circuits to counting. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 19, 563–576.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Butler, A.J. & James, K.H. (under review). Unisensory and multisensory recognition of actively vs. passively learned audiovisual associations. Butler, A.J. & James, K.H. (under review). Unisensory and multisensory recognition of actively vs. passively learned audiovisual associations.
go back to reference Butterworth, B. (1999). A head for figures. Science (New York, NY), 284(5416), 928. Butterworth, B. (1999). A head for figures. Science (New York, NY), 284(5416), 928.
go back to reference Butterworth, B. (2005). The development of arithmetical abilities. J Child Psychol Psychiatry, 46(1), 3–18.PubMedCrossRef Butterworth, B. (2005). The development of arithmetical abilities. J Child Psychol Psychiatry, 46(1), 3–18.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Cantlon, J. F., & Brannon, E. M. (2007). Adding up the effects of cultural experience on the brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 11(1), 1–4.PubMedCrossRef Cantlon, J. F., & Brannon, E. M. (2007). Adding up the effects of cultural experience on the brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 11(1), 1–4.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Chao, L. L., & Martin, A. (2000). Representation of manipulable man-made objects in the dorsal stream. Neuroimage, 12(4), 478–484. Chao, L. L., & Martin, A. (2000). Representation of manipulable man-made objects in the dorsal stream. Neuroimage, 12(4), 478–484.
go back to reference Chochon, F., Cohen, L., van de Moortele, P. F., & Dehaene, S. (1999). Differential contributions of the left and right inferior parietal lobules to number processing. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 11, 617–630.PubMedCrossRef Chochon, F., Cohen, L., van de Moortele, P. F., & Dehaene, S. (1999). Differential contributions of the left and right inferior parietal lobules to number processing. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 11, 617–630.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference De Smedt, B., Janssen, R., Bouwens, K., Verschaffel, L., Boets, B., & Ghesquiere, P. (2009). Working memory and individual differences in mathematics achievement: a longitudinal study from first grade to second grade. J Exp Child Psychol, 103, 186–201.PubMedCrossRef De Smedt, B., Janssen, R., Bouwens, K., Verschaffel, L., Boets, B., & Ghesquiere, P. (2009). Working memory and individual differences in mathematics achievement: a longitudinal study from first grade to second grade. J Exp Child Psychol, 103, 186–201.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference DeStefano, D., & LeFevre, J. A. (2004). The role of working memory in mental arithmetic. European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 16(3), 353–386. DeStefano, D., & LeFevre, J. A. (2004). The role of working memory in mental arithmetic. European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 16(3), 353–386.
go back to reference Dehaene, S., Bossini, S., & Giraux, P. (1993). The mental representation of parity and number magnitude. J Exp Psychol Gen, 122, 371.CrossRef Dehaene, S., Bossini, S., & Giraux, P. (1993). The mental representation of parity and number magnitude. J Exp Psychol Gen, 122, 371.CrossRef
go back to reference Di Luca, S., Grana, A., Semenza, C., Seron, X., & Pesenti, M. (2006). Finger-digit compatibility in Arabic numeral processing. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 59(9), 1648–1663.CrossRef Di Luca, S., Grana, A., Semenza, C., Seron, X., & Pesenti, M. (2006). Finger-digit compatibility in Arabic numeral processing. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 59(9), 1648–1663.CrossRef
go back to reference Domahs, F., Krinzinger, H., & Willmes, K. (2008). Mind the gap between both hands: evidence for internal finger-based number representations in children’s mental calculation. Cortex, 44(4), 359–367. Domahs, F., Krinzinger, H., & Willmes, K. (2008). Mind the gap between both hands: evidence for internal finger-based number representations in children’s mental calculation. Cortex, 44(4), 359–367.
go back to reference Domahs, F., Moeller, K., Huber, S., Willmes, K., & Nuerk, H.-C. (2010). Embodied numerosity: implicit hand-based representations influence symbolic number processing across cultures. Cognition, 116, 251–266.PubMedCrossRef Domahs, F., Moeller, K., Huber, S., Willmes, K., & Nuerk, H.-C. (2010). Embodied numerosity: implicit hand-based representations influence symbolic number processing across cultures. Cognition, 116, 251–266.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Fayol, M., & Seron, X. (2005). About numerical representations: insights from neuropsychological, experimental, and developmental studies. In I. I. D. Campbell (Ed.), Handbook of Mathematical Cognition (pp. 3–22). New York: Psychology Press. Fayol, M., & Seron, X. (2005). About numerical representations: insights from neuropsychological, experimental, and developmental studies. In I. I. D. Campbell (Ed.), Handbook of Mathematical Cognition (pp. 3–22). New York: Psychology Press.
go back to reference Fias, W., & Fischer, M. (2005). Spatial representation of numbers. In J. I. D. Campbell (Ed.), Handbook of mathematical cognition (pp. 43–54). New York: Psychology Press. Fias, W., & Fischer, M. (2005). Spatial representation of numbers. In J. I. D. Campbell (Ed.), Handbook of mathematical cognition (pp. 43–54). New York: Psychology Press.
go back to reference Fischer, M. (2008). Finger counting habits modulate spatial-numerical associations. Cortex, 44(4), 386–392.PubMedCrossRef Fischer, M. (2008). Finger counting habits modulate spatial-numerical associations. Cortex, 44(4), 386–392.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Fuson, K. C. (1982). An analysis of the counting-on solution procedure in addition (pp. 67–81). Addition and subtraction: A cognitive perspective. Fuson, K. C. (1982). An analysis of the counting-on solution procedure in addition (pp. 67–81). Addition and subtraction: A cognitive perspective.
go back to reference Gauthier, I., Skudlarski, P., Gore, J. C., & Anderson, A. W. (2000). Expertise for cars and birds recruits brain areas involved in face recognition. Nat Neurosci, 3, 191–197.PubMedCrossRef Gauthier, I., Skudlarski, P., Gore, J. C., & Anderson, A. W. (2000). Expertise for cars and birds recruits brain areas involved in face recognition. Nat Neurosci, 3, 191–197.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Geary, D. C., Hoard, M. K., Byrd-Craven, J., & Desoto, M. (2004). Strategy choices in simple and complex addition: contributions of working memory and counting knowledge for children with mathematical disability. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 88, 121–151. Geary, D. C., Hoard, M. K., Byrd-Craven, J., & Desoto, M. (2004). Strategy choices in simple and complex addition: contributions of working memory and counting knowledge for children with mathematical disability. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 88, 121–151.
go back to reference Imbo, I., & Vandierendonck, A. (2007). The role of phonological and executive working memory resources in simple arithmetic strategies. European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 19(6), 910–933. Imbo, I., & Vandierendonck, A. (2007). The role of phonological and executive working memory resources in simple arithmetic strategies. European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 19(6), 910–933.
go back to reference Imbo, I., Vandierendonck, A., & Fias, W. (2011). Passive hand movements disrupt adults’ counting strategies. Frontiers Cognition, 2, 1–5. Imbo, I., Vandierendonck, A., & Fias, W. (2011). Passive hand movements disrupt adults’ counting strategies. Frontiers Cognition, 2, 1–5.
go back to reference James, K. H. (2010). Sensori-motor experience leads to changes in visual processing in the developing brain. Developmental Science, 13, 279–288.PubMedCrossRef James, K. H. (2010). Sensori-motor experience leads to changes in visual processing in the developing brain. Developmental Science, 13, 279–288.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference James, K. H., & Atwood, T. P. (2009). The role of sensorimotor learning in the perception of letter-like forms: tracking the causes of neural specialization for letters. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 26(1), 91–110.PubMedCrossRef James, K. H., & Atwood, T. P. (2009). The role of sensorimotor learning in the perception of letter-like forms: tracking the causes of neural specialization for letters. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 26(1), 91–110.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference James, K. H., James, T. W., Jobard, G., Wong, C.-N., & Gauthier, I. (2005). Letter processing in the visual system: different activation patterns for single letters and strings. Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience, 5, 452–466.CrossRef James, K. H., James, T. W., Jobard, G., Wong, C.-N., & Gauthier, I. (2005). Letter processing in the visual system: different activation patterns for single letters and strings. Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience, 5, 452–466.CrossRef
go back to reference Kucian, K., von Aster, M., Loenneker, T., Dietrich, T., & Martin, E. (2008). Development of neural networks for exact and approximate calculation: a fMRI Study. Developmental Neuropsychology, 33(4), 447–473.PubMedCrossRef Kucian, K., von Aster, M., Loenneker, T., Dietrich, T., & Martin, E. (2008). Development of neural networks for exact and approximate calculation: a fMRI Study. Developmental Neuropsychology, 33(4), 447–473.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference LeFevre, J. A., Sadesky, G. S., & Bisanz, J. (1996). Selection of procedures in mental addition: reassessing the problem size effect in adults. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 22(1), 216. LeFevre, J. A., Sadesky, G. S., & Bisanz, J. (1996). Selection of procedures in mental addition: reassessing the problem size effect in adults. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 22(1), 216.
go back to reference Lindemann, O., Alipour, A., & Fischer, M. (2011). Finger counting habits in middle eastern and western individuals: an online survey. J Cross Cult Psychol, 42, 566–578.CrossRef Lindemann, O., Alipour, A., & Fischer, M. (2011). Finger counting habits in middle eastern and western individuals: an online survey. J Cross Cult Psychol, 42, 566–578.CrossRef
go back to reference Lindemann, O., & Tira, M. D. (2011). Operational momentum in numerosity production judgments of multi-digit number problems. Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 219(1), 50–57.CrossRef Lindemann, O., & Tira, M. D. (2011). Operational momentum in numerosity production judgments of multi-digit number problems. Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 219(1), 50–57.CrossRef
go back to reference National Mathematics Advisory Panel. (2008). Foundations for success: the final report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel. Washington: US Department of Education. National Mathematics Advisory Panel. (2008). Foundations for success: the final report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel. Washington: US Department of Education.
go back to reference Newman, S. D., Willoughby, G., & Pruce, B. (2011). The effect of problem structure on problem-solving: an fMRI study of word versus number problems. Brain Res, 1410, 77–88.PubMedCrossRef Newman, S. D., Willoughby, G., & Pruce, B. (2011). The effect of problem structure on problem-solving: an fMRI study of word versus number problems. Brain Res, 1410, 77–88.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Oldfield, R. C. (1971). The assessment and analysis of handedness: the Edinburgh inventory. Neuropsychologia, 9(1), 97–113.PubMedCrossRef Oldfield, R. C. (1971). The assessment and analysis of handedness: the Edinburgh inventory. Neuropsychologia, 9(1), 97–113.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Park, J., Hebrank, A., Polk, T. A., & Park, D. C. (2011). Neural dissociation of number from letter recognition and its relationship to parietal numerical processing. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 24, 39–50.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Park, J., Hebrank, A., Polk, T. A., & Park, D. C. (2011). Neural dissociation of number from letter recognition and its relationship to parietal numerical processing. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 24, 39–50.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Passolunghi, M. C., & Siegel, L. S. (2004). Working memory and access to numerical information in children with disability in mathematics. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 88(4), 348–367. Passolunghi, M. C., & Siegel, L. S. (2004). Working memory and access to numerical information in children with disability in mathematics. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 88(4), 348–367.
go back to reference Pesenti, M., Thioux, M., Seron, X., & Volder, A. D. (2000). Neuroanatomical substrates of Arabic number processing, numerical comparison, and simple addition: a PET study. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 12(3), 461–479.PubMedCrossRef Pesenti, M., Thioux, M., Seron, X., & Volder, A. D. (2000). Neuroanatomical substrates of Arabic number processing, numerical comparison, and simple addition: a PET study. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 12(3), 461–479.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Pinel, P., & Dehaene, S. (2010). Beyond hemispheric dominance: brain regions underlying the joint lateralization of language and arithmetic to the left hemisphere. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 22(1), 48–66.PubMedCrossRef Pinel, P., & Dehaene, S. (2010). Beyond hemispheric dominance: brain regions underlying the joint lateralization of language and arithmetic to the left hemisphere. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 22(1), 48–66.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Pinhas, M., & Fischer, M. H. (2008). Mental movements without magnitude? A study of spatial biases in symbolic arithmetic. Cognition, 109, 408–415.PubMedCrossRef Pinhas, M., & Fischer, M. H. (2008). Mental movements without magnitude? A study of spatial biases in symbolic arithmetic. Cognition, 109, 408–415.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Polk, T. A., Stallcup, M., Aguirre, G. K., Alsop, D. C., D’Esposito, M., Detre, J. A., et al. (2002). Neural specialization for letter recognition. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 14, 145–159.PubMedCrossRef Polk, T. A., Stallcup, M., Aguirre, G. K., Alsop, D. C., D’Esposito, M., Detre, J. A., et al. (2002). Neural specialization for letter recognition. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 14, 145–159.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Sato, M., Cattaneo, L., Rizzolatti, G., & Gallese, V. (2007). Numbers within our hands: modulation of corticospinal excitability of hand muscles during numerical judgment. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 19(4), 684–693.PubMedCrossRef Sato, M., Cattaneo, L., Rizzolatti, G., & Gallese, V. (2007). Numbers within our hands: modulation of corticospinal excitability of hand muscles during numerical judgment. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 19(4), 684–693.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Sato, M., & Lalain, M. (2008). On the relationship between handedness and hand-digit mapping in finger counting. Cortex; A Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior, 44(4), 393–399.PubMedCrossRef Sato, M., & Lalain, M. (2008). On the relationship between handedness and hand-digit mapping in finger counting. Cortex; A Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior, 44(4), 393–399.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Seyler, D. J., Kirk, E. P., & Ashcraft, M. H. (2003). Elementary Subtraction. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 29(6), 1339. Seyler, D. J., Kirk, E. P., & Ashcraft, M. H. (2003). Elementary Subtraction. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 29(6), 1339.
go back to reference Siegler, R. S., & Opfer, J. E. (2003). The development of numerical estimation: evidence for multiple representations of numerical quantity. Psychol Sci, 14, 237–243.PubMedCrossRef Siegler, R. S., & Opfer, J. E. (2003). The development of numerical estimation: evidence for multiple representations of numerical quantity. Psychol Sci, 14, 237–243.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Soylu, F. & Newman, S. D. (2011). Is arithmetic embodied? Differential interference of sequential finger tapping on addition during a dual task paradigm. In: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. Soylu, F. & Newman, S. D. (2011). Is arithmetic embodied? Differential interference of sequential finger tapping on addition during a dual task paradigm. In: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society.
go back to reference Tschentscher, N., Hauk, O., Fischer, M. H., & Pulvermüller, F. (2012). You can count on the motor cortex: finger counting habits modulate motor cortex activation evoked by numbers. Neuroimage, 59(4), 1–10.CrossRef Tschentscher, N., Hauk, O., Fischer, M. H., & Pulvermüller, F. (2012). You can count on the motor cortex: finger counting habits modulate motor cortex activation evoked by numbers. Neuroimage, 59(4), 1–10.CrossRef
go back to reference Vandenberg, S. G. (1971). Mental rotation test. Boulder: University of Colorado. Vandenberg, S. G. (1971). Mental rotation test. Boulder: University of Colorado.
go back to reference Woodcock, R. W., McGrew, K. S., & Mather, N. (2001). Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities. Rolling Meadows: Riverside Publication. Woodcock, R. W., McGrew, K. S., & Mather, N. (2001). Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities. Rolling Meadows: Riverside Publication.
Metagegevens
Titel
The impact of finger counting habits on arithmetic in adults and children
Auteurs
Sharlene D. Newman
Firat Soylu
Publicatiedatum
01-07-2014
Uitgeverij
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Gepubliceerd in
Psychological Research / Uitgave 4/2014
Print ISSN: 0340-0727
Elektronisch ISSN: 1430-2772
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-013-0505-9

Andere artikelen Uitgave 4/2014

Psychological Research 4/2014 Naar de uitgave