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Published on: February 20, 2019
Stimulus conflict predicts conflict adaptation in a numerical flanker task
1Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. wim.notebaert@ugent.be
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|May 9, 2007
Summary
Conflict monitoring theory suggests response conflict drives adaptation. This study shows stimulus conflict also triggers adaptation, with distinct effects on behavior and response times.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human behavior
Background:
- Conflict monitoring theory posits response conflict elicits conflict adaptation.
- Prior research observed adaptation after stimulus-incongruent trials without response conflict.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate stimulus conflict as a trigger for conflict adaptation.
- To propose and validate a measure for stimulus conflict.
- To differentiate the roles of stimulus and response conflict.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from Verbruggen et al. (2006).
- Collected new data using a numerical flanker task.
- Developed a novel measure for stimulus conflict.
Main Results:
- The proposed stimulus conflict measure explained existing and new data.
- Stimulus conflict and response conflict demonstrated dissociable effects.
- Response conflict predicted response times, while stimulus conflict predicted adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Stimulus conflict is a significant, independent trigger for conflict adaptation.
- Response conflict and stimulus conflict have distinct behavioral consequences.
- The findings refine understanding of cognitive control mechanisms.
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