The Role of Visual Distractors in the Simon Effect

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 387-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Lugli ◽  
Stefania D’Ascenzo ◽  
Roberto Nicoletti ◽  
Carlo Umiltà
Keyword(s):  
Simon Effect ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Automatic Generation ◽  
Spatial Code ◽  
Attentional Model ◽  
Previous Evidence ◽  
Spatial Stimulus ◽  
Attentional Resources ◽  
Code Changes

Abstract. The Simon effect lies on the automatic generation of a stimulus spatial code, which, however, is not relevant for performing the task. Results typically show faster performance when stimulus and response locations correspond, rather than when they do not. Considering reaction time distributions, two types of Simon effect have been individuated, which are thought to depend on different mechanisms: visuomotor activation versus cognitive translation of spatial codes. The present study aimed to investigate whether the presence of a distractor, which affects the allocation of attentional resources and, thus, the time needed to generate the spatial code, changes the nature of the Simon effect. In four experiments, we manipulated the presence and the characteristics of the distractor. Findings extend previous evidence regarding the distinction between visuomotor activation and cognitive translation of spatial stimulus codes in a Simon task. They are discussed with reference to the attentional model of the Simon effect.

The Influence of Social and Nonsocial Variables on the Simon Effect

2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide R. Mussi ◽  
Barbara F. M. Marino ◽  
Lucia Riggio
Keyword(s):  
Simon Effect ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Choice Task ◽  
Gender Composition ◽  
Shared Task ◽  
Task Features

Abstract. Recently, the Simon effect (SE) has been observed in social contexts when two individuals share a two-choice task. This joint SE (JSE) has been interpreted as evidence that people co-represent their actions. However, it is still not clear if the JSE is driven by social factors or low-level mechanisms. To address this question, we applied a common paradigm to a joint Simon task (Experiments 1 and 4), a standard Simon task (Experiment 2), and a go/no-go task (Experiment 3). The results showed that both the JSE and the SE were modulated by the repetition/non-repetition of task features. Moreover, the JSE was differently modulated by the gender composition of the two individuals involved in the shared task and by their interpersonal relationship. Taken together, our results do not support a pure social explanation of the JSE, nevertheless, they show the independent role of different social factors in modulating the effect.

The effects of endogenous attention and stimulus onsets on encoding target location

2002 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 987-1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shai Danziger
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frames ◽  
Target Location ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Spatial Code ◽  
Endogenous Attention ◽  
Spatial Coding ◽  
Spatial Stimulus ◽  
Key Press

The effects of endogenously attended and non-attended stimulus onsets on spatial stimulus encoding of a target were explored in a Simon task. In each experiment participants made speeded left or right key-press responses to the colour of a target that followed a cueing display consisting of several shapes. The target appeared within some shapes and not others. The target's spatial code as measured by a Simon task was its location relative to possible target positions and relative to the centre of the display. Target location was not coded relative to the positions of onset shapes that could not contain a target. These spatial coding effects were found at cue-target intervals of 50, 300, and 1000 ms. The data indicate that target location is defined relative to the distribution of endogenous attention and reference frames aligned with the centre of the display and that the spatial code assigned to a target is not affected when attention is shifted in the target's direction.

Mechanisms Underlying Transfer of Task-Defined Rules Across Feature Dimensions

2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 410-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Baroni ◽  
Motonori Yamaguchi ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Robert W. Proctor
Keyword(s):  
Simon Effect ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Single Task ◽  
Color Dimension ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Transfer Paradigm ◽  
Task Similarity ◽  
Feature Overlap ◽  
Determining Factor

The Simon effect can be reversed, favoring spatially noncorresponding responses, when people respond to stimulus colors (e.g., green) by pressing a key labeled with the alternative color (i.e., red). This Hedge and Marsh reversal is most often attributed to transfer of logical recoding rules from the color dimension to the location dimension. A recent study showed that this transfer of logical recoding rules can occur not only within a single task but also across two separate tasks that are intermixed. The present study investigated the conditions that determine the transfer of logical recoding rules across tasks. Experiment 1 examined whether it occurs in a transfer paradigm, that is when the two tasks are performed separately, but provided little support for this possibility. Experiment 2 investigated the role of task-set readiness, using a mixed-task paradigm with a predictable trials sequence, which indicated that there is no transfer of task-defined rules across tasks even when they are highly active during the Simon task. Finally, Experiments 3 and 4 used a mixed-task paradigm, where trials of the two tasks were mixed randomly and unpredictably, and manipulated the amount of feature overlap between tasks. Results indicated that task similarity is a determining factor for transfer of task-defined rules to occur. Overall, the study provides evidence that transfer of logical recoding rules tends to occur across two tasks when tasks are unpredictably intermixed and use stimuli that are highly similar and confusable.

scholarly journals The role of cognitive load in modulating social looking: a mobile eye tracking study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura J. Bianchi ◽  
Alan Kingstone ◽  
Evan F. Risko
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
Social Situation ◽  
Lower Proportion ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
Attentional Resources ◽  
Subject Design ◽  
Video Experiment ◽  
Back Task

Abstract The effect of cognitive load on social attention was examined across three experiments in a live pedestrian passing scenario (Experiments 1 and 2) and with the same scenario presented as a video (Experiment 3). In all three experiments, the load was manipulated using an auditory 2-back task. While the participant was wearing a mobile eye-tracker, the participant’s fixation behavior toward a confederate was recorded and analyzed based on temporal proximity from the confederate (near or far) and the specific regions of the confederate being observed (i.e., head or body). In Experiment 1 we demonstrated an effect of cognitive load such that there was a lower proportion of fixations and time spent fixating toward the confederate in the load condition. A similar pattern of results was found in Experiment 2 when a within-subject design was used. In Experiment 3, which employed a less authentic social situation (i.e., video), a similar effect of cognitive load was observed. Collectively, these results suggest attentional resources play a central role in social attentional behaviors in both authentic (real-world) and less authentic (video recorded) situations.

scholarly journals Towards the Automatic Generation of Virtual Presenter Agents

10.28945/3018 ◽  
2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Nijholt
Keyword(s):  
Automatic Generation ◽  
Audience Participation ◽  
Conversational Agents ◽  
Museum Guide ◽  
Present Information ◽  
Sales Agent ◽  
Available Information ◽  
2D And 3D ◽  
Embodied Agent

There are many ways to present information to visitors and users of 2D and 3D interface environments. In these virtual environments we can provide visitors with simulations of real environments, including simulations of presenters in such environments (a lecturer, a sales agent, a receptionist, a museum guide) and including audience participation in these environments. Our research aims at generating presentations from available multimedia information. In particular, we would like to see the generation of presentations by embodied conversational agents that employ verbal and nonverbal capabilities. In the past we have seen the introduction of embodied agents and robots that take the role of a museum guide, a news presenter, a teacher, a receptionist, or someone who is trying to sell insurance, houses or tickets. In all these cases the embodied agent needs to explain and to describe. The automatic generation of presentations and presentation agents from information sources is still too ambitious a task. Therefore we look at research from the perspective of the design of tools that can support presenters or can help to provide natural access to presentations and lectures. Can we use a given collection of sheets and maybe other accessible media sources to design, create and generate an embodied presenter? Among others we discuss manual annotation of available information and the way in which presenter agents can use it. Clearly, the development of tools for these purposes is a first step towards automating the generation of presentations and presentation agents.

scholarly journals Periodontal, metabolic, and cardiovascular disease: Exploring the role of inflammation and mental health

Pteridines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hina Makkar ◽  
Mark A. Reynolds ◽  
Abhishek Wadhawan ◽  
Aline Dagdag ◽  
Anwar T. Merchant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
Previous Evidence ◽  
Cascading Effects ◽  
Reciprocal Interactions ◽  
Cardiovascular Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Potential Interactions

AbstractPrevious evidence connects periodontal disease, a modifiable condition affecting a majority of Americans, with metabolic and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This review focuses on the likely mediation of these associations by immune activation and their potential interactions with mental illness. Future longitudinal, and ideally interventional studies, should focus on reciprocal interactions and cascading effects, as well as points for effective preventative and therapeutic interventions across diagnostic domains to reduce morbidity, mortality and improve quality of life.

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