On the linear representation of numbers
- In the number-to-position methodology, a number is presented on each trial and the observer places it on a straight line in a position that corresponds to its felt subjective magnitude. In the novel modification introduced in this study, the two-numbers-to-two-positions method, a pair of numbers rather than a single number is presented on each trial and the observer places them in appropriate positions on the same line. Responses in this method indicate not only the subjective magnitude of each single number but, simultaneously, provide a direct estimation of their subjective numerical distance. The results of four experiments provide strong evidence for a linear representation of numbers and, commensurately, for the linear representation of numerical distances. We attribute earlier results that indicate a logarithmic representation to the ordered nature of numbers and to the task used and not to a truly non-linear underlying representation.
Author details: | Hofit BarORCiD, Martin H. FischerORCiDGND, Daniel AlgomORCiD |
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DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-018-1063-y |
ISSN: | 0340-0727 |
ISSN: | 1430-2772 |
Pubmed ID: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30073407 |
Title of parent work (English): | Psychological research : an international journal of perception, attention, memory, and action |
Subtitle (English): | Evidence from a new two-numbers-to-two positions task |
Publisher: | Springer |
Place of publishing: | Heidelberg |
Publication type: | Article |
Language: | English |
Date of first publication: | 2018/08/02 |
Publication year: | 2018 |
Release date: | 2021/04/15 |
Volume: | 83 |
Issue: | 1 |
Number of pages: | 16 |
First page: | 48 |
Last Page: | 63 |
Organizational units: | Humanwissenschaftliche Fakultät / Strukturbereich Kognitionswissenschaften / Department Psychologie |
DDC classification: | 1 Philosophie und Psychologie / 15 Psychologie / 150 Psychologie |
Peer review: | Referiert |