Article Version of Record

The unexplored role of handshape similarity in processing numbers on the hands

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Berteletti, Ilaria
Sullivan, SaraBeth J.
Lancaster, Lucas

Abstract / Description

With two simple experiments we investigate the overlooked influence of handshape similarity for processing numerical information conveyed on the hands. In most finger-counting sequences there is a tight relationship between the number of fingers raised and the numerical value represented. This creates a possible confound where numbers closer to each other are also represented by handshapes that are more similar. By using the American Sign Language (ASL) number signs we are able to dissociate between the two variables orthogonally. First, we test the effect of handshape similarity in a same/different judgment task in a group of hearing non-signers and then test the interference of handshape in a number judgment task in a group of native ASL signers. Our results show an effect of handshape similarity and its interaction with numerical value even in the group of native signers for whom these handshapes are linguistic symbols and not a learning tool for acquiring numerical concepts. Because prior studies have never considered handshape similarity, these results open new directions for understanding the relationship between finger-based counting, internal hand representations and numerical proficiency.

Keyword(s)

numerical distance effect number handshapes handshape similarity ASL number signs ASL number comparison

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2021-07-23

Journal title

Journal of Numerical Cognition

Volume

7

Issue

2

Page numbers

156–171

Publisher

PsychOpen GOLD

Publication status

publishedVersion

Review status

peerReviewed

Is version of

Citation

Berteletti, I., Sullivan, S. J., & Lancaster, L. (2021). The unexplored role of handshape similarity in processing numbers on the hands. Journal of Numerical Cognition, 7(2), 156-171. https://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.6997
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Berteletti, Ilaria
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Sullivan, SaraBeth J.
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Lancaster, Lucas
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2022-04-14T11:22:01Z
  • Made available on
    2022-04-14T11:22:01Z
  • Date of first publication
    2021-07-23
  • Abstract / Description
    With two simple experiments we investigate the overlooked influence of handshape similarity for processing numerical information conveyed on the hands. In most finger-counting sequences there is a tight relationship between the number of fingers raised and the numerical value represented. This creates a possible confound where numbers closer to each other are also represented by handshapes that are more similar. By using the American Sign Language (ASL) number signs we are able to dissociate between the two variables orthogonally. First, we test the effect of handshape similarity in a same/different judgment task in a group of hearing non-signers and then test the interference of handshape in a number judgment task in a group of native ASL signers. Our results show an effect of handshape similarity and its interaction with numerical value even in the group of native signers for whom these handshapes are linguistic symbols and not a learning tool for acquiring numerical concepts. Because prior studies have never considered handshape similarity, these results open new directions for understanding the relationship between finger-based counting, internal hand representations and numerical proficiency.
    en_US
  • Publication status
    publishedVersion
  • Review status
    peerReviewed
  • Citation
    Berteletti, I., Sullivan, S. J., & Lancaster, L. (2021). The unexplored role of handshape similarity in processing numbers on the hands. Journal of Numerical Cognition, 7(2), 156-171. https://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.6997
    en_US
  • ISSN
    2363-8761
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/5498
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.6102
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Publisher
    PsychOpen GOLD
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.6997
  • Keyword(s)
    numerical distance effect
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    number handshapes
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    handshape similarity
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    ASL number signs
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    ASL number comparison
    en_US
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    The unexplored role of handshape similarity in processing numbers on the hands
    en_US
  • DRO type
    article
  • Issue
    2
  • Journal title
    Journal of Numerical Cognition
  • Page numbers
    156–171
  • Volume
    7
  • Visible tag(s)
    Version of Record
    en_US