Further Evidence for the Binding and Retrieval of Control-States From the Flanker Task

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Dignath ◽  
Andrea Kiesel
Keyword(s):  
Effortful Control ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Stimulus Information ◽  
Target Task ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Control Processes ◽  
Prime Target

Abstract. In response-interference tasks, congruency effects are reduced in trials that follow an incongruent trial. This congruence sequence effect (CSE) has been taken to reflect top-down cognitive control processes that monitor for and intervene in case of conflict. In contrast, episodic-memory accounts explain CSEs with bottom-up retrieval of stimulus-response links. Reconciling these opposing views, an emerging perspective holds that memory stores instances of control – abstract control-states – creating a shortcut for effortful control processes. Support comes from a study that assessed CSEs in a prime-target task. Here, repeating an irrelevant context feature boosted CSEs, possibly by retrieving previously stored control-states. We present a conceptual replication using the Eriksen flanker task because previous research found that CSEs in the flanker task reflect different control mechanisms than CSEs in the prime-target task. We measured CSEs while controlling for stimulus–response memory effects and manipulated contextual information (vertical spatial location) independently from the stimulus information, which introduced the conflict (horizontal spatial location). Results replicate previous findings – CSEs increased for context-repetition compared to context-changes. This study shows that retrieval of control-states is not limited to a specific task or context feature and therefore generalizes the notion that abstract control parameters are stored into trial-specific event files.

Intact Context-Dependent Modulation of Conflict Monitoring in Childhood ADHD

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 1503-1510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annet Bluschke ◽  
Witold X. Chmielewski ◽  
Veit Roessner ◽  
Christian Beste
Keyword(s):  
Executive Control ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Conflict Monitoring ◽  
Performance Deficits ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Control Functions

Objective: Conflict monitoring is well known to be modulated by context. This is known as the Gratton effect, meaning that the degree of interference is smaller when a stimulus–response conflict had been encountered previously. It is unclear to what extent these processes are changed in ADHD. Method: Children with ADHD (combined subtype) and healthy controls performed a modified version of the sequence flanker task. Results: Patients with ADHD made significantly more errors than healthy controls, indicating general performance deficits. However, there were no differences regarding reaction times, indicating an intact Gratton effect in ADHD. These results were supported by Bayesian statistics. Conclusion: The results suggest that the ability to take contextual information into account during conflict monitoring is preserved in patients with ADHD despite this disorder being associated with changes in executive control functions overall. These findings are discussed in light of different theoretical accounts on contextual modulations of conflict monitoring.

scholarly journals Contextual within-trial adaption of cognitive control: Evidence from the combination of conflict tasks

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alodie Rey-Mermet ◽  
Miriam Gade
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
The Other ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Set Size ◽  
Control Processes ◽  
Stimulus Set ◽  
Key Press

It is assumed that we recruit cognitive control (i.e., attentional adjustment and/or inhibition) to resolve two conflicts at a time, such as driving towards a red traffic light and taking care of a near-by ambulance car. A few studies have addressed this issue by combining a Simon task (which required responding with left or right key-press to a stimulus presented on the left or right side of the screen) with either a Stroop task (which required identifying the color of color words) or a Flanker task (which required identifying the target character among flankers). In most studies, the results revealed no interaction between the conflict tasks. However, these studies include a small stimulus set, and participants might have learned the stimulus-response mappings for each stimulus. Thus, it is possible that participants have more relied on episodic memory than on cognitive control to perform the task. In five experiments, we combined the three tasks pairwise, and we increased the stimulus set size to circumvent episodic memory contributions. The results revealed an interaction between the conflict tasks: Irrespective of task combination, the congruency effect of one task was smaller when the stimulus was incongruent for the other task. This suggests that when two conflicts are presented concurrently, the control processes induced by one conflict source can affect the control processes induced by the other conflict source.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Language Dominance and Stimulus-Stimulus or Stimulus-Response Inhibition in Uyghur-Chinese Bilinguals with an Investigation of Speed-Accuracy Trade-Offs

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wu ◽  
Struys ◽  
Lochtman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Language Dominance ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Monitoring Process ◽  
Response Task ◽  
Speed Accuracy

The effect of bilingualism on inhibition control is increasingly under ongoing exploration. The present study primarily investigated the effect of within bilingual factors (i.e., dominance types of Uyghur-Chinese bilinguals) on a Stimulus-Stimulus task (Flanker) and a Stimulus-Response task (Simon). We also compared the bilinguals' performance on each type of cognitive control task in respect to a possible trade-off between speed and accuracy. The findings showed no explicit differences on performance in response time or accuracy among balanced, L1-dominant and L2-dominant bilinguals but balanced bilinguals demonstrated a significant speed-accuracy trade-off in the overall context switching between non-conflict and conflict trials in both cognitive control tasks where monitoring process is highly demanded. Additionally, all bilinguals across all language dominance types showed a trade-off strategy in inhibition during a Stimulus-Stimulus conflict (flanker task). This evidence indicates that the differences of within bilinguals in cognitive control could lie in the monitoring process, while for all bilinguals, inhibition during a Stimulus-Stimulus conflict could be a major component in the mechanism of bilingual language processing.

scholarly journals Disentangling stimulus and response compatibility as potential sources of backward crosstalk

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 3415-3431
Author(s):  
Tobias Rieger ◽  
Jeff Miller
Keyword(s):  
Compatibility Effect ◽  
Psychological Refractory Period ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Response Compatibility ◽  
Dual Tasking ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Potential Sources ◽  
Dual Task Paradigm ◽  
Backward Crosstalk ◽  
Mapping Condition

Abstract In two experiments (N= 60 each), we investigated the locus of backward crosstalk effects in dual tasking. Specifically, we embedded the typical flanker task within a dual-task paradigm by assigning stimulus-response (S-R) rules to the flankers. In Experiment 1, participants were instructed to first respond to the center letter and only respond to the flanker if the center was a no-go stimulus (i.e., prioritized processing paradigm). Mapping condition was varied between-subjects to be either matched (i.e., same S-R rule for flankers as for center letters), reversed (i.e., opposite S-R rule for flankers), or neutral (i.e., different letters for flankers with separate S-R rules). The results indicated that the backward crosstalk effect was mainly driven by a stimulus-based compatibility, as indicated by a significant S2−R1 compatibility effect in the matched and reversed conditions, with little change in this effect between the matched and reversed conditions. Experiment 2 replicated and extended these findings to a psychological refractory period paradigm. The present findings suggest that in the matched and reversed conditions, there was only one S-R rule active at a time.

scholarly journals Posterior Alpha and Gamma Oscillations Index Divergent and Superadditive Effects of Cognitive Interference

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 1931-1945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex I Wiesman ◽  
Tony W Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Irrelevant Stimulus ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Cognitive Conflict ◽  
Gamma Oscillations ◽  
Relevant Stimulus ◽  
Cognitive Interference ◽  
Motor Mapping ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Gamma Frequency

Abstract Conflicts at various stages of cognition can cause interference effects on behavior. Two well-studied forms of cognitive interference are stimulus–stimulus (e.g., Flanker), where the conflict arises from incongruence between the task-relevant stimulus and simultaneously presented irrelevant stimulus information, and stimulus-response (e.g., Simon), where interference is the result of an incompatibility between the spatial location of the task-relevant stimulus and a prepotent motor mapping of the expected response. Despite substantial interest in the neural and behavioral underpinnings of cognitive interference, it remains uncertain how differing sources of cognitive conflict might interact, and the spectrally specific neural dynamics that index this phenomenon are poorly understood. Herein, we used an adapted version of the multisource interference task and magnetoencephalography to investigate the spectral, temporal, and spatial dynamics of conflict processing in healthy adults (N = 23). We found a double-dissociation such that, in isolation, stimulus–stimulus interference was indexed by alpha (8–14 Hz), but not gamma-frequency (64–76 Hz) oscillations in the lateral occipital regions, while stimulus–response interference was indexed by gamma oscillations in nearby cortices, but not by alpha oscillations. Surprisingly, we also observed a superadditive effect of simultaneously presented interference types (multisource) on task performance and gamma oscillations in superior parietal cortex.

Flanker and Simon effects interact at the response selection stage

2009 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1784-1804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Treccani ◽  
Roberto Cubelli ◽  
Sergio Della Sala ◽  
Carlo Umiltà
Keyword(s):  
Response Selection ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Correspondence Effects ◽  
Correspondence Effect ◽  
Accessory Stimulus ◽  
Target Set ◽  
Referential Coding ◽  
Selection Stage ◽  
Effect Experiment

The present study aimed at investigating the processing stage underlying stimulus–stimulus (S–S) congruency effects by examining the relation of a particular type of congruency effect (i.e., the flanker effect) with a stimulus–response (S–R) spatial correspondence effect (i.e., the Simon effect). Experiment 1 used a unilateral flanker task in which the flanker also acted as a Simon-like accessory stimulus. Results showed a significant S–S Congruency × S–R Correspondence interaction: An advantage for flanker–response spatially corresponding trials was observed in target–flanker congruent conditions, whereas, in incongruent conditions, there was a noncorresponding trials’ advantage. The analysis of the temporal trend of the correspondence effects ruled out a temporal-overlap account for the observed interaction. Moreover, results of Experiment 2, in which the flanker did not belong to the target set, demonstrated that this interaction cannot be attributed to perceptual grouping of the target–flanker pairs and referential coding of the target with respect to the flanker in the congruent and incongruent conditions, respectively. Taken together, these findings are consistent with a response selection account of congruency effects: Both the position and the task-related attribute of the flanker would activate the associated responses. In noncorresponding-congruent trials and corresponding-incongruent trials, this would cause a conflict at the response selection stage.

EEG Signal Decomposition Evidence for a Role of Perceptual Processes during Conflict-related Behavioral Adjustments in Middle Frontal Regions

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 1381-1393
Author(s):  
Nico Adelhöfer ◽  
Christian Beste
Keyword(s):  
Time Window ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Decomposition Methods ◽  
Signal Decomposition ◽  
Conflict Monitoring ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Eeg Data ◽  
Congruency Sequence Effect ◽  
Trial History

Conflict monitoring processes are central to cope with fluctuating environmental demands. However, the efficacy of these processes depends on previous trial history/experience, which is reflected in the “congruency sequence effect” (CSE). Several theoretical accounts have been put forward to explain this effect. Some accounts stress the role of perceptual processes in the emergence of the CSE. As yet, it is elusive how these perceptual processes are implemented on a neural level. We examined this question using a newly developed moving dots flanker task. We combine decomposition methods of EEG data and source localization. We show that perceptual processes modulate the CSE and can be isolated in neurophysiological signals, especially in the N2 ERP time window. However, mechanisms relating perception to action are also coded and modulated in this time window. We show that middle frontal regions (BA 6) are associated with processes dealing with purely perceptual processes. Inferior frontal regions (BA 45) are associated with processes dealing with stimulus–response transition processes. Likely, the neurophysiological modulations reflect unbinding processes at the perceptual level, and stimulus–response translation level needed to respond correctly on the presented (changed) stimulus–response relationships. The data establish a direct relationship between psychological concepts focusing on perceptual processes during conflict monitoring and neurophysiological processes using signal decomposition.

Modulation of preparatory neuronal activity in dorsal premotor cortex due to stimulus-response compatibility

1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 1281-1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Crammond ◽  
J. F. Kalaska
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Premotor Cortex ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Dorsal Premotor Cortex ◽  
Reaching Task ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Sustained Activity ◽  
Spatial Attributes ◽  
Direction Of Movement ◽  
Selection Of

1. Neuronal activity was recorded in the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) of two monkeys performing a multidirectional, instructed-delay (ID) reaching task in which visuospatial cues signaled the direction of movement either congruent with the instruction cue ("direct-delay" trials, DD) or redirected 180 degrees opposite to the cue ("redirected-delay" trials, RD). Therefore, this task had two degrees of stimulus-response (S-R) compatibility because in one-half of the trials the spatial attributes of the visual cue were incongruent with those of the intended movement. 2. The majority of PMd cells discharged both at short latency to the RD or DD cues and subsequently with sustained activity during the remaining ID period (IDP). The earliest responses (< 250 ms) in both DD and RD trials covaried with cue location and so could be either a "visuospatial" response or a neuronal correlate of the selection of action with highest S-R compatibility, namely move to the stimulus. In contrast, later IDP activity usually covaried with the direction of movement signaled by the cues, independent of their spatial location, supporting the hypothesis that IDP discharge in PMd ultimately encodes attributes of intended reaching movements.

scholarly journals Cognitive control in bilinguals: Advantages in Stimulus–Stimulus inhibition

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 610-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
HENRIKE K. BLUMENFELD ◽  
VIORICA MARIAN
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Irrelevant Information ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Stimulus Features ◽  
Task Irrelevant ◽  
Language Profiles

Bilinguals have been shown to outperform monolinguals at suppressing task-irrelevant information and on overall speed during cognitive control tasks. Here, monolinguals’ and bilinguals’ performance was compared on two nonlinguistic tasks: a Stroop task (with perceptualStimulus–Stimulus conflictamong stimulus features) and a Simon task (withStimulus–Response conflict). Across two experiments testing bilinguals with different language profiles, bilinguals showed more efficient Stroop than Simon performance, relative to monolinguals, who showed fewer differences across the two tasks. Findings suggest that bilingualism may engage Stroop-type cognitive control mechanisms more than Simon-type mechanisms, likely due to increased Stimulus–Stimulus conflict during bilingual language processing. Findings are discussed in light of previous research on bilingual Stroop and Simon performance.

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