The role of visual attention in counting and numerosity estimation

2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14252
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: 李 キ (菊野優月) 岡山大学, ヘルスシステム統合科学研究科, 非常勤研究員 (30757711)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: visual attention / counting / numerosity estimation

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Previous research has shown that task-irrelevant spatial dividers facilitate counting and numerosity estimation, indicating that spatial attention plays an important role in basic numerical abilities (Li, Nakashima, Yokosawa, 2018). In the real world, visual objects are not always accompanied with spatial dividers. However, in most cases, they appeared with feature information. The current study aims to investigate whether object features affect counting and numerosity estimation. In FY 2020, experiments have been carried out to investigate the effects of color information on counting. Some interesting results have emerged: participants’ counting performance was in some experimental conditions facilitated, and in other conditions inhibited by object color.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

Experiments conducted in FY 2020 have revealed interesting patterns of interaction between visual attention and numerical cognition. The preparation of the second series of experiments investigating the effects of object color on numerosity estimation has been completed. Pilot data collection has been started to ensure a quick and smooth start for the main experiments.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Experiments conducted in FY 2020 have revealed interesting effects of object color on counting. In FY 2021, the second series of experiments will be carried out to investigate whether and how color information affects numerosity estimation. It has been known that counting and numerosity estimation are closely related to the focused mode and the distributed mode of attention, respectively. Thus, it is possible that color information has different effects on counting and numerosity estimation. This issue will be systematically investigated in FY 2021.

Causes of Carryover

Experiments conducted in FY 2020 have revealed complex patterns of interaction between visual attention and numerical cognition. The results are interesting but more complex than I previously thought. Because I think the results need careful interpretation, I decided not to present the findings at scientific conferences held in FY 2020. Instead, I planned to attend conferences after the completion of my second series of experiments in FY 2021. The remained amount of FY 2020 will be used to cover the travel expenses and conference expenses.