Numerical-spatial representation affects spatial coding: binding errors across the numerical distance effect

Does numerical-spatial representation affect feature binding? Studies of visual attention show that poor spatial coding leads to illusory conjunctions (ICs). In numerical cognition, it has been shown that numbers and space are not totally dissociated. This association underlies the numerical distance effect (DE): faster responses as the distance between the compared digits becomes larger (2 7 vs. 2 4). We used the DE to test whether numerical-spatial representation is available to visual processes that rely on spatial coding, such as feature binding. Participants reported the larger of two colored numbers. Both numerical distance (distances 2 and 5) and number–space congruity (e.g., congruent pair, 1 3; incongruent pair, 3 1) were analyzed. Results showed a higher proportion of ICs for distance 2 than for distance 5, providing strong evidence that numerical-spatial representation (1) entails a strong location code and (2) is available to visual processes that rely on location information.     

Advances in graphonomics: studies on fine motor control, its development and disorders

During the past 20 years graphonomic research has become a major contributor to the understanding of human movement science. Graphonomic research investigates the relationship between the planning and generation of fine motor tasks, in particular, handwriting and drawing. Scientists in this field are at the forefront of using new paradigms to investigate human movement. The 16 articles in this special issue of Human Movement Science show that the field of graphonomics makes an important contribution to the understanding of fine motor control, motor development, and movement disorders. Topics discussed include writer's cramp, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, drug-induced parkinsonism, dopamine depletion, dysgraphia, motor development, developmental coordination disorder, caffeine, alertness, arousal, sleep deprivation, visual feedback transformation and suppression, eye-hand coordination, pen grip, pen pressure, movement fluency, bimanual interference, dominant versus non-dominant hand, tracing, freehand drawing, spiral drawing, reading, typewriting, and automatic segmentation.