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A Simon effect in memory retrieval: evidence for the response-discrimination account
1Friedrich-Alexander Universität, Institut für Psychologie I, Erlangen, Germany. peter.wuehr@psy.phil.uni-erlangen.de
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|December 20, 2007
Summary
The Simon effect, traditionally explained by stimulus-response associations, can also arise from working memory (WM) processes. This study found evidence supporting the response-discrimination account of the Simon effect in memory retrieval.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Behavior
Background:
- The Simon effect is a cognitive phenomenon where stimulus location influences response selection.
- Traditional explanations involve long-term spatial stimulus-response associations.
- An alternative, the response-discrimination account, posits working memory (WM) interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the response-discrimination account of the Simon effect.
- To investigate if Simon effects occur in memory retrieval tasks.
- To determine if spatial labels in WM influence non-spatial responses.
Main Methods:
- Participants encoded words at distinct locations.
- A stimulus color cued a vocal response (saying a word).
- The correspondence between irrelevant stimulus location and response retrieval cue was manipulated.
Main Results:
- A Simon effect was observed in the memory retrieval task.
- This effect supports the role of working memory in the Simon effect.
- Findings indicate that spatial labels in WM can influence response selection.
Conclusions:
- The response-discrimination account provides a viable explanation for the Simon effect.
- Working memory plays a crucial role in Simon effects, even with non-spatial responses.
- The study extends understanding of the Simon effect to memory retrieval contexts.
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