AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION OF NUMERICAL MAGNITUDE? EVIDENCE FROM JOINT DERIVATION OF SNARC AND SIZE CONGRUITY EFFECTS

Abstract

A widely held assumption in the realm of numerical cognition states that the meaning (i.e., numerical magnitude) of numerals is automatically activated just whenever numerals are exposed for any purpose. Two markers of automatic activation have been the SNARC and the size congruity effect. In this study, we derived both effects on a common set of numerals for the same group of observers. We found the effects to be independent. These results invite a revision of the traditional interpretations of the SNARC as a marker of automatic activation.