Cognitive factors contribute to the symbolic and the non-symbolic SNARC effects in children and adults

• Published in: Cognitive development Vol. 70; p. 101422
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yaxin, Yu, Xiao, Qi, Yue, Zhang, Han, Xu, Jiaqian, Chen, Yinghe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Executive functions; Phonological processing components; The non-symbolic SNARC effects; The symbolic SNARC effects; Visual-spatial ability; The non-symbolic SNARC effects; Executive functions; The symbolic SNARC effects; Phonological processing components; Visual-spatial ability
• ISSN: 0885-2014
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2024.101422

The SNARC effect is a phenomenon in which the left hand reacts quickly to small numbers, and the right hand reacts quickly to large numbers. In this study, the symbolic and non-symbolic SNARC effects between 9-year-old children and adults were compared, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying these effects were examined in both groups. The findings indicate that children and adults exhibit significant symbolic and non-symbolic SNARC effects, with children having a stronger non-symbolic SNARC effect than adults. According to path analyses, visual perception and phonological awareness played important roles in children’s symbolic SNARC effect, whereas inhibitory control played an important role in adults’ symbolic SNARC effect. Three-dimensional mental rotation and phonological memory accounted for significant variance in the non-symbolic SNARC effect in children and adults. Working memory did not significantly contribute to symbolic or non-symbolic SNARC effects in children and adults. In sum, our findings would not only help understand the theoretical relationships among various cognitive skills and SNARC effects but also help to develop age-appropriate intervention programs related to the nature of spatial-numerical associations. ●We studied symbolic and non-symbolic SNARC effects in children and adults.●Visual perception and phonological awareness play crucial roles in children’s symbolic SNARC effect.●Inhibitory control plays an important role in adults’ symbolic SNARC effect.●Mental rotation and short-term memory significantly predict the non-symbolic SNARC effect in both age groups.●Working memory does not explain the strength difference between symbolic and non-symbolic SNARC effects in both age groups.