The effect of a preceding cue on the conflict solving mechanism

In everyday life cues and signs are used in order to improve our performance and to modify and control our behavior. This study examines whether cues can improve the performance of the mental mechanism in charge of solving conflicts when the nature of the irrelevant task remains constant. In two experiments participants performed the Stroop task in which they were asked to name the color of a stimulus while ignoring its meaning. Half the trials were preceded by a conflict-cue containing information about an upcoming conflict. In addition, conflict trial proportions were manipulated. We found that only when the probability of conflict is low can cues alter the conflict solving mechanism. These findings are discussed in the context of the nature of the control mechanism and its tendency to minimize the cost of mental resources.