The retrieval and selection of arithmetic facts in oral arithmetic

We examined the co-activation and the selection of arithmetic facts in oral arithmetic. In two experiments, participants had to verify whether simple additions were correct or not. In Experiment 1, additions were presented in the auditory-verbal format; in Experiment 2, additions were presented in the digit format but simulating the temporal sequence of auditory problems of Experiment 1. Results were similar in both experiments. Firstly, participants took the same time to respond when an addition was incorrect but the result was that of multiplying the operands (e.g., 2 + 4 = 8) relative to a control addition with unrelated result. Secondly, participants took more time to respond when the result of multiplying the operands of the first trial was presented again in a correct addition problem (e.g., 2 + 6 = 8) relative to a control addition. This pattern of results is discussed in terms of the temporal resolution to which auditory problems are resolved and the role of an inhibitory mechanism involved in the selection of arithmetic facts.