The Effect Of Working Memory Load On Space–number Associations

Space–Number Associations(SNA)refers to the correlation between the cognitive representation of number and spatial coding.There are two main theories of competition about the psychological mechanisms of Space–Number Associations.The mental number line hypothesis states that Space–Number Associations are stable beings with evolutionary properties;The working memory hypothesis holds that Space–Number Associations are temporary and unstable,but the research conclusions of this hypothesis are conflicting,perhaps because the tasks(magnitude judgment or parity judgment)cannot truly reflect the real relationship between number and space.A task adapted from the implicit association test(Fischer & Shaki,2016)has been studied to measure the digital space linkage effect by manipulating the combination of arrows and numbers(e.g.,small numbers + left unanimous conditions,large numbers+ right inconsistent conditions)based on the direction of numbers and arrows.This method removes the spatial requirements during the reaction,and this new paradigm is proposed to explore the influence of working memory type and working memory load on digital spatial association through three experiments.Experiment 1 was 3(load type: no load,verbal load,spatial load)* 2(consistency: consistent,inconsistent)experimental design in the participants,a total of 28 participants(M = 21.87 years).It is found that the digital spatial connection still exists under the working memory load,and the spatial load significantly enhances the digital spatial connection.Experiment 2 was 3(spatial load level: no load,small load,large load)* 2(consistency: consistent,inconsistent)experimental design in participants,a total of 30 participants(M = 19.77 years),to explore the influence of working memory load level on digital spatial association,and it was found that the large load conditions significantly enhanced the digital spatial association.Experiment 3 is 2(task: single task,double task)* 2(consistency: consistent,inconsistent)* 2(reaction type: go,no-go)experimental design in the subject,recording behavioral data and ERP data.The electrophysiological characteristics of digital spatial connection were discussed,and the influence of working memory load on digital spatial connection was further clarified.The results show that the behavioral data show that the space–number associations is significantly enhanced under the dual-task condition,and the ERP data show that the N200 amplitude under the no-go condition is significantly larger than that under the go condition.Conclusion: The space–number associations exist under the working memory load,which supports the mental number line theory.Large spatial working memory loads enhance digital spatial connections.In addition,the study provides more evidence for our understanding of digital spatial connections.