The memory function of 15 soroban learners and 13 novices was examined on visual memory tasks. Analysis showed soroban learners were superior in performance of digit recall but not of shape recall. This result seems to reflect the tendency for soroban groups to be better in processing some kinds of spatial than categorical properties. Based upon these results, effects of soroban learning on brain function were discussed.
De RenziE.Disorders of space exploration and cognition. New York: Wiley, 1982.
3.
HatanoG., & OsawaK.Digit memory of grand experts in abacus-derived mental calculation. Cognition, 1983, 15, 95–110.
4.
HattaT.HiroseT.IkedaK., & FukuharaH.Digit imagery of soroban experts: evidence of utilization of mental imagery. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 1989, 3, 23–33.
5.
HattaT., & IkedaK.Hemisphere specialization of abacus experts in mental calculation: evidence from the results of time-sharing tasks. Neuropsychologia, 1988, 26, 877–893.
6.
HattaT., & KawanakaA.The effects of abacus training on mental imagery employment in a digit memory retention task. Memoirs of Osaka Kyoiku University, 1990, 39, 75–82.
7.
HattaT., & MiyazakiM.Visual imagery processing in Japanese abacus experts. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 1991, 9, 91–102.
8.
HattaT., & YamadaF.Hemisphere function of Japanese abacus masters: an examination by EEG. Psychologia, 1990, 33, 84–90.
9.
HelligeJ. B., & MichimataC.Categorization versus distance: hemispheric differences for processing spatial information. Memory & Cognition, 1989, 17, 770–776.
10.
KosslynS. M.FlynnR. A.AmsterdamJ. B., & WangG.Components of higher-level vision: a cognitive neuroscience analysis and accounts of neurological syndromes. Cognition, 1990, 34, 203–277.
11.
KosslynS. M., & KoenigO.Wet brain. New York: Free Press, 1992.
12.
KosslynS. M.KoenigO.BarrettA.CaveC. B.TangJ., & GabrieliJ. D. E.Evidence for two types of spatial representations: hemispheric specialization for categorical and coordinate relations. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 1989, 15, 723–735.
