scholarly journals Multiplicative priming of the correct response can explain the interaction between Simon and flanker congruency

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248172
Author(s):  
Alodie Rey-Mermet ◽  
Miriam Gade ◽  
Marco Steinhauser
Keyword(s):  
Correct Response ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Central Character ◽  
Stimulus Color ◽  
Spatial Overlap ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Spatial Features ◽  
Key Press

In the Simon task, participants perform a decision on non-spatial features (e.g., stimulus color) by responding with a left or right key-press to a stimulus presented on the left or right side of the screen. In the flanker task, they classify the central character while ignoring the flanking characters. In each task, there is a conflict between the response-relevant features and the response-irrelevant features (i.e., the location on the screen for the Simon task, and the flankers for the flanker task). Thus, in both tasks, resolving conflict requires to inhibit irrelevant features and to focus on relevant features. When both tasks were combined within the same trial (e.g., when the row of characters was presented on the left or right side of the screen), most previous research has shown an interaction. In the present study, we investigated whether this interaction is affected by a multiplicative priming of the correct response occurring when both Simon and flanker irrelevant features co-activate the correct response (Exp. 1), a spatial overlap between Simon and flanker features (Exp. 2), and the learning of stimulus-response pairings (Exp. 3). The results only show an impact of multiplicative priming.

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 Bilingualism enhances attentional control in non-verbal conflict tasks – evidence from ex-Gaussian analyses

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
BEINAN ZHOU ◽  
ANDREA KROTT
Keyword(s):  
Attentional Control ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Incongruent Condition ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Bilingual Speakers ◽  
Verbal Conflict ◽  
Response Time Distributions ◽  
Response Congruency

Bilinguals have been found to possess cognitive advantages. But the nature of this advantage is unclear. While some evidence suggests that bilinguals have developed enhanced inhibitory control abilities, other evidence suggests that they possess enhanced attentional control abilities. In the current study, English monolingual and English–Chinese bilingual young adults were tested in three non-verbal conflict tasks (Flanker task, Spatial Stroop task and Simon task). Ex-Gaussian analyses were utilized to inspect response time distributions. The two participant groups showed comparable effects of stimulus-response congruency on the Gaussian part of response distributions (μ), but different effects on the distribution tails (τ), with reduced tails for bilingual speakers particularly in the more demanding incongruent condition. These results suggest that bilingual advantage emerges from better sustained attention and attentional monitoring rather than inhibition. We also discuss the usefulness of ex-Gaussian analyses.

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.

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.

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.

Some Types of Error in a Choice Response Task

1972 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. G. Green ◽  
M. E. Sime ◽  
D. J. Guest
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Error Correction ◽  
Choice Reaction Time ◽  
Correct Response ◽  
Choice Response ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Single Finger ◽  
The Times ◽  
Response Task ◽  
Types Of Error

Errors from a serial response task involving single-finger responses to alphabetic stimuli are analysed and discussed in relation to findings which have been reported from tasks with more compatible stimulus-response relationships. Errors are divided into three distinguishable subsets and in each case found to have longer latencies than correct responses. Those which result from mirroring the required response about the centre of the hand are found to resist elimination during practice and their frequency seems to depend on the type of code used. In all cases error correction times are faster than the times to make a correct response but mirror errors and errors involving a finger adjacent to the correct response are corrected faster than other errors. The findings are discussed in relation to the theory of choice reaction time and error correction.

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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