The Simon effect in a discrete sequence production task

Key-specific stimuli cannot be ignored due to attentional capture

Bibliographic Data

ID21282598
AuthorsWillem B Verwey (0000-0003-3994-8854, University of Twente, corresponding author), David L Wright (0000-0002-3090-5375, Texas A&M University), Rob H J van der Lubbe, Rob van der Lubbe (0000-0003-3658-0345, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań)
Year2020
Volume205
Pages103044
Publication date2020-04-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueActa Psychologica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0001-6918 • E-ISSN: 1873-6297
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.actpsy.2020.103044
PMID32146318
OpenAlexW3010199008
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited63

Two experiments examined whether practicing discrete key pressing sequences eventually leads to a disregard of the key-specific stimuli, as suggested by sequence learning models, or whether these stimuli continue to be relied upon because the associated luminance increase attracts visuospatial attention. Participants practiced two sequences by reacting to two fixed series of seven letter stimuli, each displayed at a location that did or did not correspond with the required response location. Stimulus use was indicated by a Simon effect in that key presses were slowed when stimulus and key locations did not correspond. Experiment 1 demonstrated that letter stimuli continued to be used as the Simon effect occurred with each sequence element, and this remained quite stable across practice and did not differ for familiar and unfamiliar sequences. Experiment 2 showed that the Simon effect remained present even with meaningless stimuli that were often even harmful. These findings suggest that even in motor sequences that can be executed without element-specific stimuli attention attraction enforces stimulus use. The data further supported the assumptions that S-R translation and sequencing systems are racing to trigger individual responses, and that explicit sequence representations include spatial and verbal knowledge

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Luminance · Sequence learning · Simon effect · Stimulus (psychology) · Action Observation and Synchronization · Artificial Intelligence · Communication · Computer Science · Motor Control and Adaptation · Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies · Neuroscience · Psychology

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