Martin Fischer, University of Dundee, Scotland, recently reported results showing that the majority of adults prefer to start counting on their left hand, regardless of whether they are left- or right-handed. In a subsequent odd-even task, the left-starters had more consistent spatial-numerical associations than the right-starters.
Simple numerical tasks, such as classifying digits as odd or even by pressing left or right buttons reveal that we like to associate small numbers with left space. Where does this preference come from?
The link between finger counting habits and numerical cognition may have implications for mathematics teaching and even the rehabilitation of people who have lost their number sense.
Fischer's study explored the contribution of finger counting habits to the association of numbers with space (the SNARC effect).
First, a questionnaire study indicated that two-thirds of 445 adults started counting on their left hand, regardless of their handedness. Secondly, a group of 53 ‘‘left-starters’’ but not a group of 47 ‘‘right-starters’’ showed a SNARC effect in a parity task.
This significant difference in the strength of the effect between groups suggests that finger counting habits indeed contribute to the association between numbers and space in adults.
Article: Fischer MH: 'Finger counting habits modulate spatial-numerical associations.' Cortex 2008; 44: 386-392.
Comments
Retrovertigo26 (not verified) | 05/09/08 | 17:29 PM
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Anonymous (not verified) | 03/17/09 | 11:05 AM
Why Do We Start Counting With Our Left Hand?
They should have asked a linguist: the right brain dominates for visual-motor tasks.
Cognitive science research into which parts of the brain are responsible for language processing have been greatly advanced by studies of patients who have a severed corpus callosum - the so-called 'split-brain' studies.
There is an educational treatment of the topic here.
One of the initiators of split-brain studies, Michael S. Gazzaniga, has posted a more academic treatment of the topic here.
Nothing to do with reading from left to right then...?
That is a very good question!
Directional preference in writing has been 'explained' in terms of not smudging wet ink. I never felt comfortable with that theory. You have got me wondering about handedness in people who like to 'finger-trace' lines of speech.
There's grant money to be had there. Not me, too old. :)
Patrick Lockerby | 03/17/09 | 12:33 PM
If that is true - and it would be nice to think that it is - then people have been starting to count on their left hand since ancient times, apparently.
Dave Jones | 03/23/09 | 06:35 AM
one left, two left
Not left as opposed to right, unfortunately, but left as opposed to 'not used up'.
Please do not take this as a personal attack. The fact that you didn't accept Word's word, but checked around the web speaks highly of you imo.
The origins lie in various words which mean 'leave', as in 'set aside' or 'not consume'.
Etymology is a useful tool, but must be used with utmost care. There is no demonstrable survival value in its proper use, but telling one's neighbour that his name originally meant 'Slug from the slurry in the slime sloughs of Sludge' is not conducive to establishing a long-lasting friendship.
Patrick Lockerby | 03/23/09 | 07:04 AM
It might also be interesting to try people from a culture who write from top to bottom.
Not just grant money... this involves jet-setting around the world as well. :)
Dave (not verified) | 03/26/09 | 13:57 PM
Anonymous (not verified) | 09/23/09 | 22:15 PM










