Coding controlled and triggered cursor movements as action effects: influences on the auditory Simon effect for...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• The Simon task is a classic paradigm for studying response selection.
• Irrelevant action effects can influence task performance, but the mechanisms are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how irrelevant action effects, specifically cursor movements controlled by wheel rotations, impact response selection in a Simon task.
• To explore the role of coding strategies (relative to cursor vs. hands) and action integration in modulating these effects.

Main Methods:

• Four experiments used a Simon task where tone pitch was relevant and location irrelevant.
• Responses involved clockwise-counterclockwise wheel rotations controlling cursor movement.
• Cursor movement direction was manipulated relative to hand movement goals.
• Participants' coding of responses (relative to cursor or hands) and action integration were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The Simon effect was reduced when wheel-controlled cursor movement was opposite to the hand movement goal.
• This reduction was linked to coding responses relative to the cursor or hands, or integrating them as a single action concept.
• A triggered cursor showed minimal influence unless prior experience established a causal link, enabling action concept coding.

Conclusions:

• The influence of irrelevant action effects on performance is multifaceted.
• Perception of a unified action concept, formed through integration or causal experience, is key to reducing the Simon effect.
• Coding strategies play a significant role in how irrelevant action effects are processed.