Numerosity Perception and Perceptual Load: Exploring Sex Differences Through Eye-Tracking
This study investigates sex differences in numerosity perception and visuospatial abilities in adults using eye-tracking methodology. We report the results of a controlled dual-task experiment that assessed the participants’ visuospatial and numerosity estimation abilities. We did not observe sex di...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Eye Movement Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1995-8692/18/2/9 |
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| author | Julia Bend Anssi Öörni |
| author_facet | Julia Bend Anssi Öörni |
| author_sort | Julia Bend |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates sex differences in numerosity perception and visuospatial abilities in adults using eye-tracking methodology. We report the results of a controlled dual-task experiment that assessed the participants’ visuospatial and numerosity estimation abilities. We did not observe sex differences in reaction times and accuracy. However, we found that females consistently underestimated numerosity. This underestimation correlated with higher perceptual load in females, as evidenced by shorter fixation durations and increased fixation rates. These findings suggest that perceptual load, rather than visual or spatial abilities, significantly influences numerosity estimation. Our study contributes novel insights into sex differences in both numerosity estimation and visuospatial abilities. These results provide a foundation for future research on numerosity perception across various populations and contexts, with implications for educational strategies and cognitive training programs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7c9bd30bdc55463c969e1a8b834b4d35 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1995-8692 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Eye Movement Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-7c9bd30bdc55463c969e1a8b834b4d352025-08-20T02:28:23ZengMDPI AGJournal of Eye Movement Research1995-86922025-04-01182910.3390/jemr18020009Numerosity Perception and Perceptual Load: Exploring Sex Differences Through Eye-TrackingJulia Bend0Anssi Öörni1Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics, and Law, Åbo Akademi University, 20500 Turku, FinlandFaculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics, and Law, Åbo Akademi University, 20500 Turku, FinlandThis study investigates sex differences in numerosity perception and visuospatial abilities in adults using eye-tracking methodology. We report the results of a controlled dual-task experiment that assessed the participants’ visuospatial and numerosity estimation abilities. We did not observe sex differences in reaction times and accuracy. However, we found that females consistently underestimated numerosity. This underestimation correlated with higher perceptual load in females, as evidenced by shorter fixation durations and increased fixation rates. These findings suggest that perceptual load, rather than visual or spatial abilities, significantly influences numerosity estimation. Our study contributes novel insights into sex differences in both numerosity estimation and visuospatial abilities. These results provide a foundation for future research on numerosity perception across various populations and contexts, with implications for educational strategies and cognitive training programs.https://www.mdpi.com/1995-8692/18/2/9eye-trackingattentionindividual differencesnumerosity perceptionperceptual loadsex differences |
| spellingShingle | Julia Bend Anssi Öörni Numerosity Perception and Perceptual Load: Exploring Sex Differences Through Eye-Tracking Journal of Eye Movement Research eye-tracking attention individual differences numerosity perception perceptual load sex differences |
| title | Numerosity Perception and Perceptual Load: Exploring Sex Differences Through Eye-Tracking |
| title_full | Numerosity Perception and Perceptual Load: Exploring Sex Differences Through Eye-Tracking |
| title_fullStr | Numerosity Perception and Perceptual Load: Exploring Sex Differences Through Eye-Tracking |
| title_full_unstemmed | Numerosity Perception and Perceptual Load: Exploring Sex Differences Through Eye-Tracking |
| title_short | Numerosity Perception and Perceptual Load: Exploring Sex Differences Through Eye-Tracking |
| title_sort | numerosity perception and perceptual load exploring sex differences through eye tracking |
| topic | eye-tracking attention individual differences numerosity perception perceptual load sex differences |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1995-8692/18/2/9 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT juliabend numerosityperceptionandperceptualloadexploringsexdifferencesthrougheyetracking AT anssioorni numerosityperceptionandperceptualloadexploringsexdifferencesthrougheyetracking |