Investigating the SNARC Effect : Implicit Applications and Test-Retest Reliability

The Spatial-Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) effect demonstrates a systematic link between numerical magnitudes and spatial orientation, where smaller numbers are associated with leftward responses and larger numbers with rightward responses. This thesis investigates the SNARC effect using a multifaceted approach, incorporating experimental research, theoretical exploration, and a critical evaluation of its test-retest reliability. Collaborative research conducted with Professor Michele Vicovaro forms the basis for analysing reaction time data across multiple sessions, focusing on implicit tasks and addressing methodological challenges such as outlier management and variability in individual performance. A key strength of this study lies in its large sample size, distinguishing it as one of the few robust investigations into the SNARC effect conducted with extensive participant data. This scale provides enhanced statistical power and reliability, enabling a detailed analysis of session-to-session consistency and task-specific trends in spatial-numerical associations. This thesis also examines the historical evolution of the SNARC effect, tracing its origins and theoretical significance in cognitive science. Experimental findings are presented alongside detailed methodological considerations, emphasizing the importance of robust data handling techniques and advanced analytical methods. The results illuminate key variables impacting numerical cognition and provide practical recommendations for experimental design. By integrating empirical evidence with theoretical insights, this study advances the field of numerical cognition while identifying avenues for future research.