Explaining the SPoARC and SNARC effects with knowledge structures: An expertise account

Abstract

Two proposals have been put forward to account conjointly for the spatial-numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect and the spatial-positional association of response codes (SPoARC) effect: the working memory account and the dual account. Here, on the basis of experimental and theoretical knowledge acquired in the field of expert memory, we propose an alternative accountnamed the expertise account-that explains both effects through the acquisition and use of knowledge structures (a generalization of Bchunks,^Bretrieval structures,^and Btemplates^), which have been used extensively in expert memory theory. These knowledge structures can be of two types: nonslotted or slotted schemas. We suggest that the SNARC effect can be explained via the use of nonslotted schemas, and the SPoARC effect via slotted schemas. We conclude our article by presenting the broader implications of our framework for working memory in general, when considering knowledge structures.

Spatial complexity facilitates ordinal mapping with a novel symbol set

“…This also suggests that the MNL metaphor may be better thought of as a 'mental ordinal line' that underlies ordinal lists more generally. This ties into previous research [49] that suggests attainment and use of 'knowledge structures' underpin numerical representation; and other research [50] that suggests a more generalised MNL could be built in working memory irrespective of the items being studied (e.g., [50] used the words for fruits and vegetables as stimuli in a categorization task).…”

About the interplay between internal and external spatial codes in the mind: implications for serial order

“…In previous studies (for a review, see Ref. 19), external sources of spatial information were avoided because the aim was to investigate how the cognitive system spontaneously generates spatial codes, that is, WM items were centrally presented. In this study, we take the opposite stance by manipulating the spatial coordinates of items on the screen.…”

The development of working memory spatialization revealed by using the cave paradigm in a two‐alternative spatial choice

“…However, Ginsburg and Gevers’ dual account does not explain why the SNARC effect seems to appear chronologically before the SPoARC effect. A more recent proposal by Guida and Campitelli 17 offers an alternative that can explain why the SNARC effect appears first. The authors propose that the SNARC and SPoARC effects are due to two different knowledge structures that have been described by expertise theories: nonslotted schemas and slotted schemas.…”

“…However, if experts continue to increase their knowledge, they will develop a second type of knowledge structure—slotted‐schemas (e.g., templates 20 and retrieval structures 21 )—that Guida and Campitelli 17 suggest can explain the SPoARC effect (i.e., WM spatialization). Chronologically, slotted‐schemas, such as templates in the template theory, 20 are built after nonslotted schemas as they necessitate more expertise.…”

“…The method was invented over two millennia ago but is still extensively used by mnemonists 59 . Guida and Campitelli 17 proposed that educated laypeople (i.e., who went through formal reading/writing learning) develop a similar yet less sophisticated process. They develop a slotted mental line that follows the reading/writing direction.…”