Beyond mean reaction times: Combining distributional analyses with processing stage manipulations in the Simon task

2020 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. 101275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Mittelstädt ◽  
Jeff Miller
Keyword(s):  
Simon Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Processing Stage

Binding of Event Files in a (go/no-go) Simon Task With an Accessory Peripheral Signal

2009 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Maetens ◽  
David Henderickx ◽  
Eric Soetens
Keyword(s):  
Simon Effect ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Response Signal ◽  
Event File ◽  
Response Information ◽  
Event Files ◽  
Accessory Stimulus ◽  
Accessory Signal

To understand the relation between the Simon effect and the time course of relevant and irrelevant code activations, we presented the response signal before or simultaneously with a go/no-go signal in an accessory Simon task. A peripheral accessory signal could appear before, simultaneously with or after the go/no-go signal. We observed a Simon effect when the accessory signal was presented just before or simultaneously with the go signal, irrespective of the delay between response and go/no-go signal. The Simon effect reversed when the accessory signal was presented 150 ms after the go signal when response information was presented first and the participants had to make a go/no-go decision afterwards or when they had to select a response when the go signal appeared. The reversal did not occur when both decisions were required at the same time. Our data suggest that the integration and release of event files are involved in the occurrence of the reversal. Response activation induced by the accessory stimulus facilitates/interferes with the response when it is presented before the event file is integrated. When the accessory stimulus is presented after integration, the automatically activated response is inhibited, causing a delay in the corresponding reaction times.

scholarly journals Effects of age on inhibitory control are affected by task-specific features

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1219-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela de Bruin ◽  
Sergio Della Sala
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Age Effects ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Younger Adults

Older adults have been argued to have impoverished inhibitory control compared to younger adults. However, these effects of age may depend on processing speed and their manifestation may furthermore depend on the type of inhibitory control task that is used. We present two experiments that examine age effects on inhibition across three tasks: a Simon arrow, static flanker and motion flanker task. The results showed overall slower reaction times (RTs) for older adults on all three tasks. However, effects of age on inhibition costs were only found for the Simon task, but not for the two flanker tasks. The motion flanker task furthermore showed an effect of baseline processing speed on the relation between age and inhibition costs. Older adults with slower baseline responses showed smaller inhibition costs, suggesting they were affected less by the flanker items than faster older adults. These findings suggest that effects of age on inhibition are task dependent and can be modulated by task-specific features such as the type of interference, type of stimuli and processing speed.

Cognitive inhibitory control in children following early childhood music education

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Eve Joret ◽  
Filip Germeys ◽  
Yori Gidron
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Musical Training ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Music Training

The relationship between music training and executive functions has remained inconsistent in previous studies, possibly due to methodological limitations. This study aims to investigate cognitive inhibitory control in children (9–12 years old) with and without musical training, while carefully considering confounding variables. To assess executive functions, the Simon task was used, measuring reaction times (RTs) and error rates on congruent and incongruent trials. Information on important variables such as bilingualism, socio-economic status (SES), music pedagogy and amount of musical training was collected through a parental questionnaire. Furthermore, verbal and non-verbal intelligence were assessed with validated tests to consider their effects as well. The results showed that the samples did not significantly differ in background variables. The analysis of the RT data on the Simon task revealed a significant group × congruency interaction, such that musically trained children showed a reduced magnitude of the congruency effect (RTs on incongruent trials – RTs on congruent trials) compared to non-musicians. To conclude, music training seems to be associated with enhanced cognitive inhibitory control in well-matched samples.

Hue-Tone Sensory Interaction: A Negative Result

1971 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1327-1330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ira H. Bernstein ◽  
Thomas R. Eason ◽  
D. L. Schurman
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Sensory Interaction ◽  
Tone Frequency ◽  
Processing Stage ◽  
Location Selection ◽  
Color Selection ◽  
Selective Effects

Choice reaction times (RT) were obtained from four trained Ss to red vs blue targets in four conditions. In three conditions, a noninformative tone occurred on half the trials and could be (a) low frequency, (b) high frequency, or (c) either high or low frequency. Tone never occurred in the fourth condition. As previously observed, tone occurrence produced a nonselective reduction in RT. Contrary to some studies where tone selectivity facilitated detection of blue as opposed to red targets, no such selective effects were obtained. As prior studies (Bernstein & Edelstein, 1971) have found tone frequency to interact with RT to targets differing in location (above vs below fixation), it was concluded that the information-processing stage for color selection is different from the stage for location selection.

scholarly journals Different measurements of bilingualism and their effect on performance on a Simon task

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Marie-France Champoux-Larsson ◽  
Alexandra S. Dylman
Keyword(s):  
Simon Task ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Social Background ◽  
Native English Speakers ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Nonnative Language ◽  
Social Use

Abstract We investigated how operationalizing bilingualism affects the results on a Simon task in a population of monolingual and bilingual native English speakers (N = 166). Bilingualism was measured in different ways within participants, and the measurements were used both as dichotomous and continuous variables. Our results show that the statistical significance and effect size varied across operationalizations. Specifically, the Composite Factor Score (the Language and Social Background Questionnaire’s general score), showed a bilingual disadvantage on reaction times regardless of how it was used (dichotomously or continuously). When dividing participants into monolinguals and bilinguals based on the Nonnative Language Social Use score (a Language and Social Background Questionnaire subscore), differences in accuracy and reaction times were found between the groups, but the Nonnative Language Social Use score did not predict accuracy when used as a continuous variable (only reaction times). Finally, earlier age of acquisition predicted faster reaction times, but only when used on a continuum. Effect sizes were between the small and medium range. No differences on the Simon effect were found. Our results call for cautiousness when comparing studies using different types of measurements, highlight the need for clarity and transparency when describing samples, and stresses the need for more research on the operationalization of bilingualism.

Relationships between cognitive factors and gait strategy during exoskeleton-augmented walking

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-215
Author(s):  
Aditi Gupta ◽  
Ryan McKindles ◽  
Leia Stirling
Keyword(s):  
Divided Attention ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
Gait Stability ◽  
Gait Characteristics

Individual variation in exoskeleton-augmented gait strategy may arise from differences in cognitive factors, e.g., ability to respond quickly to stimuli or complete tasks under divided attention. Gait strategy is defined as different approaches to achieving gait priorities (e.g., walking without falling) and is observed via changes in gait characteristics like normalized stride length or width. Changes indicate shifting priorities like increasing stability or coordination with an exoskeleton. Relationships between cognitive factors and exoskeleton gait characteristics were assessed. Cognitive factors were quantified using a modified Simon task and a speed achievement task on a self-paced treadmill with and without a secondary go/no-go task. Individuals with faster reaction times and decreased ability to maintain a given speed tended to prioritize coordination with an exoskeleton over gait stability. These correlations indicate relationships between cognitive factors and individual exoskeleton-augmented gait strategy that should be further investigated to understand variation in exoskeleton use.

Metrics for quantifying cognitive factors that may underlie individual variation in exoskeleton use

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 216-220
Author(s):  
Aditi Gupta ◽  
Ryan McKindles ◽  
Leia Stirling
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
System Operation ◽  
Subject Variability ◽  
Strategy Parameters ◽  
Outcome Metrics

Individual differences in adaptation to exoskeletons have been observed, but are not well understood. Kinematic, kinetic, and physiologic factors are commonly used to assess these systems. Parameters from experimental psychology and gait literature wereadapted to probe the lower extremity perception-cognition-action loop using measures of reaction times, gait task performance, and gait strategy. Parameters were measured in 15 subjects via two tasks: (1) a modified Simon task and (2) a speed-achievement task with secondary go/no-go cues on a self-paced treadmill. Outcome metrics were assessed for significantly different intra- versus inter-subject variability. Reaction time measures from the modified Simon task, as well two speed-achievement metrics and one gait-strategy characteristic we re found to show significant differenc es in intra- versus inter-subject variability. These results suggest that select cognitive factors may differentiate between individuals and be potential predictors for individual variation during exoskeleton system operation.

Influence of Sleep Deprivation and Auditory Intensity on Reaction Time and Response Force

2002 ◽  
Vol 94 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1101-1112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariusz Włodarczyk ◽  
Piotr Jaśkowski ◽  
Agnieszka Nowik
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Auditory Stimuli ◽  
Choice Response ◽  
Response Force ◽  
Auditory Intensity ◽  
Response Choice ◽  
Sleep Deficit

Arousal and activation are two variables supposed to underlie change in response force. This study was undertaken to explain these roles, specifically, for strong auditory stimuli and sleep deficit. Loud auditory stimuli can evoke phasic over-arousal whereas sleep deficit leads to general underarousal. Moreover, Van der Molen and Keuss. (1979, 1981) showed that paradoxically long reaction times occurred with extremely strong auditory stimuli when the task was difficult, e.g., choice reaction or Simon paradigm. It was argued that this paradoxical behavior related to reaction time is due to active disconnecting of the coupling between arousal and activation to prevent false responses. If so, we predicted that for extremely loud stimuli and for difficult tasks, the lengthening of reaction time should be associated with reduction of response force. The effects of loudness and sleep deficit on response time and force were investigated in three different tasks: simple response, choice response, and Simon paradigm. According to our expectation, we found a detrimental effect of sleep deficit on reaction time and on response force. In contrast to Van der Molen and Keuss, we found no increase in reaction time for loud stimuli (up to 110 dB) even on the Simon task.

scholarly journals Dissociation of perceptual and motor inhibitory processes in young and elderly participants using the Simon task

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1014-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
SOPHIE GERMAIN ◽  
FABIENNE COLLETTE
Keyword(s):  
Simon Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Task Design ◽  
Normal Aging ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Motor Inhibition ◽  
Single Group ◽  
Inhibitory Processes ◽  
Inhibitory Deficits ◽  
And Task

AbstractDeficits in inhibitory abilities are frequently observed in normal aging. However, few studies have explored the generality of these deficits in a single group of participants. Here, we used an adaptation of the Simon task to differentially assess perceptual and motor inhibition using the same stimuli and task design and to determine whether these processes use separate or shared cognitive resources. We were interested in determining whether (1) normal aging is associated with the use of separate (as previously evidenced in young participants) or similar cognitive resources to perform perceptual and motor inhibition tasks; (2) older participants present a specific impairment in one of these two processes. Analyses of reaction times indicated that motor and perceptual inhibitory processes share some cognitive resources and both are impaired in normal aging. These results can be interpreted by considering that a dedifferentiation process is responsible for the inhibitory deficits presented by older participants. (JINS, 2008, 14, 1014–1021.)

scholarly journals Viewing Cute Images Does Not Affect Performance of Computerized Reaction Time Tasks

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gal Ziv ◽  
Orly Fox
Keyword(s):  
Task Switching ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Pet Owners ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Switching Task

Humans are emotionally affected by cute or infantile appearances, typical of baby animals and humans, which in turn often leads to careful and cautious behavior. The purpose of this pre-registered study was to examine whether looking at cute images of baby pets improves performance of computerized cognitive-motor tasks. Ninety-eight participants were recruited for this online study and were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. The participants in one group performed two cognitive-motor tasks (Simon task and alternate task-switching task) before and after viewing images of adult pets and the participants in the other group performed the tasks before and after viewing images of baby pets. The participants who viewed images of baby pets rated them as significantly cuter (Cohen’s d = 0.50) and more infantile (Cohen’s d = 1.56) compared with those who viewed images of adult pets. All participants improved their performance from the pre-test to the post-test, but no differences in correct responses and reaction times were seen between the groups. However, pet ownership appeared to serve as a moderating variable with pet owners performing the Simon task faster than non-pet owners. In addition, pet owners reacted faster in the alternate task-switching task after viewing cute and infantile images but not after viewing images of adult pets. This effect was not found among non-pet owners. In conclusion, this study did not find that viewing cute images improves cognitive-motor performance, yet this may be dependent on moderators like pet ownership.

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