Finger gnosis predicts a unique but small part of variance in initial arithmetic performance

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
Mirjam WasnerKorbinian Moeller

Abstract

Recent studies indicated that finger gnosis (i.e., the ability to perceive and differentiate one's own fingers) is associated reliably with basic numerical competencies. In this study, we aimed at examining whether finger gnosis is also a unique predictor for initial arithmetic competencies at the beginning of first grade-and thus before formal math instruction starts. Therefore, we controlled for influences of domain-specific numerical precursor competencies, domain-general cognitive ability, and natural variables such as gender and age. Results from 321 German first-graders revealed that finger gnosis indeed predicted a unique and relevant but nevertheless only small part of the variance in initial arithmetic performance (∼1%-2%) as compared with influences of general cognitive ability and numerical precursor competencies. Taken together, these results substantiated the notion of a unique association between finger gnosis and arithmetic and further corroborate the theoretical idea of finger-based representations contributing to numerical cognition. However, the only small part of variance explained by finger gnosis seems to limit its relevance for diagnostic purposes.

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Citations

Oct 27, 2017·Developmental Science·Ursula FischerHeidrun Stoeger
Dec 6, 2018·Developmental Science·Elena NicoladisSimone Pika
Mar 14, 2019·Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS·Paul T CirinoMaureen Dennis
Feb 24, 2018·Psychological Research·Kyle MorrisseyMing Han
Apr 30, 2020·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Krzysztof CiporaHans-Christoph Nuerk
Mar 11, 2017·Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications·Cathy TranMartin Buschkuehl
Oct 7, 2020·Cognitive Processing·Isabella Luise KreilingerSilvia Pixner
Oct 27, 2020·Frontiers in Psychology·Li ZhangXiao Zhang
Nov 19, 2020·Motor Control·Joy KhayatPatrick Fargier

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