Semantic processing in the production of numerals across notations.

Abstract

In the present work, we conducted a series of experiments to explore the processing stages required to name numerals presented in different notations. To this end, we used the semantic blocking paradigm previously used in psycholinguist studies. We found a facilitative effect of the semantic blocked context relative to the mixed context for Arabic digits and number words. However, the blocked context produced an interference effect for physical numerosity and Roman numbers. Our results provided further evidence to models suggesting that Arabic digits may be named through an asemantic route similar to that of number words, whereas a semantic route is mandatory to name physical numerosity and Roman numerals.

Do we access meaning when we name Arabic digits? Electrophysiological evidence

“…The interference effect obtained by Herrera and Macizo (, ) with pictures in the semantic blocking paradigm replicated previous results found with the blocked context paradigm (Damian et al ., ; Kroll & Stewart, ). This interference effect is explained in terms of a competition pattern triggered at the lexical level, due to the semantic processing of stimuli (e.g., Damian et al ., ; although see Navarrete, Del Prato, Peressotti, & Mahon, ; Oppenheim, Dell, & Schwartz, ; for alternative explanations).…”

“…Therefore, there are several studies suggesting that Arabic digits are processed semantically. However, there is also recent evidence that runs counter to the notion of semantic mediation in Arabic digit naming (Herrera & Macizo, , ). In these studies, the authors adopted a well‐known paradigm to determine the semantic processing of Arabic numbers: the semantic blocking paradigm (e.g., Damian et al ., ; Kroll & Stewart, ).…”

Cognitive processing of currency: Euros and dollars

“…In this study, we explored whether semantic processing is required when people say aloud the monetary value of banknotes. Previous work (Macizo & Herrera, ) demonstrated that Euro banknotes can be named without semantic mediation by a direct lexical route similar to that used to name words (Damian et al ., ; Glaser, ) and digits (Herrera & Macizo, , ). The current study shows again that Euro banknotes can be named bypassing the semantic system.…”

“…Specifically, the authors asked whether the processing of banknotes required the accessing to semantic information. To this end, they adopted the blocking paradigm (Damian, Vigliocco, & Levelt, ; Kroll & Stewart, ; Levelt, ) to evaluate the semantic processing of two dimensions that define banknotes: the processing of pictures (Glaser, ) and the processing of numbers (Herrera & Macizo, , ; Roelofs, ). In this paradigm, participants name sequences of pictures in two situations: mixed and blocked.…”

“…In the blocked condition, the repeated access to concepts within the same category produces competition among the co‐activated lemmas and thus, the time needed to select the correct lemma increases (Damian et al ., ). However, when Arabic digits are included as a further category (Herrera & Macizo, , ), participants name them faster in the blocked condition than in the mixed condition. The absence of interference is interpreted as evidence that digits can be produced without semantic mediation.…”