Force of numbers: number magnitude modulates force magnitude

This project aims to measure how the cognitive processing of number magnitude affects spontaneous force production under highly controlled spatial influences and no active responses. For this, we will employ a novel method of continuous grip force measurement with high temporal and force resolution (ms/mN) during number presentations across two tasks. In the first task (1-back) we aim to measure force magnitudes during numbers from 1-9 (with a focus on 1,2,8,9). In the second task (Arithmetic task), we aim to replicate the force to number magnitude relation for the numbers 1,2,8,9. We will also explore how 1,2,8,9 affect force magnitudes following an arithmetic operation (either subtraction or addition). If there is an effect, we base our theoretical predictions based on two models: A Theory of Magnitude (ATOM, Walsh, 2003;2015) and the confidence model (Balota & Abrams, 1995). According to ATOM we would expect increasing force magnitude to increasing numbers while the confidence model would predict decreasing force magnitude to increasing numbers.