The neural bases of the multiplication problem-size effect across countries

Autor: Jérôme ePrado, Jiayan eLu, Li eLiu, Qi eDong, Xinlin eZhou, James R Booth
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2013
Předmět:
Zdroj: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Vol 7 (2013)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1662-5161
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00189
Popis: Multiplication problems involving large numbers (e.g., 9x8) are more difficult to solve than problems involving small numbers (e.g., 2x3). Behavioral research indicates that this problem-size effect might be due to different factors across countries and educational systems. However, there is no neuroimaging evidence supporting this hypothesis. Here, we compared the neural correlates of the multiplication problem-size effect in adults educated in China and the United States. We found a greater neural problem-size effect in Chinese than American participants in bilateral superior temporal regions associated with phonological processing. However, we found a greater neural problem-size effect in American than Chinese participants in right intra-parietal sulcus associated with calculation procedures. Therefore, while the multiplication problem-size effect might be a verbal retrieval effect in Chinese as compared to American participants, it may instead stem from the use of calculation procedures in American as compared to Chinese participants. Our results indicate that differences in educational practices might affect the neural bases of symbolic arithmetic.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals