Conditional accuracy in response interference tasks: Evidence from the Eriksen flanker task and the spatial conflict...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive psychology
• Neuroscience
• Human-computer interaction

Background:

• The Eriksen flanker task and spatial conflict task are established response interference paradigms.
• Previous research demonstrated comparable reaction time (RT) effects for stimulus congruency and sequential trials in both tasks.
• The current study extends this by investigating accuracy effects and their interaction with response speed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare interference and sequential trial effects on accuracy between the flanker and spatial conflict tasks.
• To examine how response speed modulates these accuracy effects using conditional accuracy functions (CAFs).
• To identify potential differences in cognitive processing architecture between the two tasks.

Main Methods:

• Participants completed the Eriksen flanker task and the spatial conflict task.
• Conditional accuracy functions (CAFs) were used to analyze accuracy based on response time.
• Congruency effects (current trial) and sequential trial effects (previous trial) on accuracy were assessed.

Main Results:

• Both congruency and sequential trial effects on accuracy were observed only in fast trials (< 600 ms).
• Sequential trial effects on accuracy were less pronounced in the flanker task compared to the spatial conflict task.
• In very fast trials (< 400 ms), the flanker task showed below-chance accuracy due to distracting flankers, unlike the spatial conflict task.

Conclusions:

• Accuracy in response interference tasks is sensitive to response speed and trial history.
• Subtle differences in processing architecture may exist between the flanker and spatial conflict tasks, particularly concerning response activation under high interference.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering response dynamics when interpreting accuracy data in cognitive tasks.