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The influence of the place-value structure of the Arabic number ...

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compared <strong>number</strong>s, unit distance, logarithmic problem size, absolute overall distance as well<br />

as absolute problem size (see Table 3). Inspecting <strong>the</strong> beta weights showed that modelled RTs<br />

increased with (i) decreasing difference between <strong>the</strong> logarithms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two <strong>number</strong>s, (ii)<br />

decreasing logarithmic problems size (iii) increasing overall distance, and increasing absolute<br />

problem size. Finally, in line with <strong>the</strong> assumptions on unit-decade compatibility estimated<br />

RTs also increased as unit distance decreased. Please note that <strong>the</strong> unexpected positive<br />

interrelation <strong>of</strong> modelled RTs with absolute distance may be driven by intercorrelations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

predictors included in <strong>the</strong> final model. Looking at <strong>the</strong> raw correlation reveals an initial<br />

<strong>influence</strong> in <strong>the</strong> expected direction.<br />

Table 3: Predictors included in <strong>the</strong> final regression model for <strong>the</strong> hybrid data<br />

Predictor B b t sign.<br />

Change in<br />

R 2<br />

Raw<br />

correlation<br />

Partial<br />

correlation<br />

Constant 1761.05 - 11.07 < .001 - - -<br />

Difference <strong>of</strong> logarithms - 503.53 -1.75 9.31 < .001 .63 - .80 - .54<br />

Unit distance - 2.66 - .22 6.76 < .001 .05 - .25 - .40<br />

Log. problem size - 657.56 -1.33 5.46 < .001 .04 - .03 - .34<br />

Abs. overall distance 2.46 .99 5.57 < .001 .03 - .77 .34<br />

Abs. problem size 3.40 .90 3.79 < .001 .01 .05 .24<br />

At last, <strong>the</strong> regression analysis including <strong>the</strong> four reliable predictors <strong>of</strong> item RT<br />

obtained by Nuerk et al. (2001) resulted in a significant model [adj. R 2 = .62, R = .79, F(4,<br />

235) = 99.81, p < .001]. Never<strong>the</strong>less, compared to <strong>the</strong> stepwise regression analysis R2 was<br />

reduced considerably. Looking at <strong>the</strong> beta weights showed that item RT increased<br />

significantly when logarithmic overall distance [constant = 933.29; B = -129.60; b = - .75, t =<br />

18.93, p < .001] as well as unit distance [B = -2.83; b = - .23, t = 5.82, p < .001] decreased,<br />

again indicating unit-decade compatibility to determine item RTs produced by <strong>the</strong> hybrid<br />

model. However, no reliable <strong>influence</strong> <strong>of</strong> problem size [B = 0.04; b = .01, t = 0.28, p = .78]<br />

and absolute unit distance [B = 0.22; b = .01, t = 0.21, p = .83] was observed. In summary, <strong>the</strong><br />

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