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Reaction time distribution analysis of spatial correspondence effects
Robert W Proctor1, James D Miles, Giulia Baroni
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 703 Third St., W. Lafayette, IN 47907-2081, USA. proctor@psych.purdue.edu
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|February 18, 2011
Summary
Analyzing reaction time distributions reveals how the spatial Simon effect changes over time. The standard Simon effect decreases with longer reaction times, unlike other variations where it remains stable or increases.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Factors
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The spatial Simon effect, a cognitive phenomenon, influences performance when stimulus location is irrelevant to the task.
- Group reaction time (RT) distribution analyses have been employed since 1994 to study the temporal dynamics of this effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history and rationale behind using RT distribution analyses for the spatial Simon effect.
- To clarify conditions that lead to decreasing, stable, or increasing Simon effects across the RT distribution.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of group reaction time distributions.
- Review of existing studies on the spatial Simon effect and its temporal dynamics.
Main Results:
- The standard left-right Simon effect typically decreases as reaction time increases.
- In contrast, most other spatial Simon effect variations show a stable or increasing effect across the RT distribution.
- Evidence suggests temporal activation properties are the primary driver of these observed changes.
Conclusions:
- RT distribution analysis is a valuable tool for understanding the temporal dynamics of the spatial Simon effect.
- The observed changes in the Simon effect across the RT distribution are mainly attributable to temporal activation properties, resolving prior disputes.
