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A subliminal inhibitory mechanism for the negative compatibility effect: a continuous versus threshold mechanism
Peng Liu1, Xuhai Chen, Dongyang Dai
1School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China.
Experimental Brain Research
|April 10, 2014
Summary
Subliminal inhibition strength and onset are affected by prime activation. Lower prime activation delays inhibition and reduces its effectiveness, supporting the continuous subliminal inhibitory mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Subliminal inhibition is a key cognitive process.
- The negative compatibility effect (NCE) paradigm is used to study this.
- The precise mechanisms, especially the role of prime activation, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of subliminal inhibition.
- To test the hypothesis that decreased prime activation affects inhibitory processes.
- To examine the delay in onset and reduction in strength of inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments using arrow stimuli (primes and targets) and irrelevant masks.
- Manipulation of prime/target compatibility and prime background density (Experiment 1).
- Manipulation of prime/target compatibility and inter-stimuli interval (ISI) (Experiment 2).
- Behavioral and electrophysiological (lateralized readiness potential) measures were used.
Main Results:
- The NCE disappeared with increased prime background density (25%) in Experiment 1.
- Marginally significant NCEs were observed at a 150-ms ISI in Experiment 2.
- Electrophysiological data indicated differences in lateralized readiness potential between compatible and incompatible trials at 150-ms ISI.
- NCE size was smaller in Experiment 2 compared to Experiment 1.
Conclusions:
- Results support the continuous subliminal inhibitory mechanism hypothesis.
- Decreased prime activation strength leads to delayed inhibitory onset.
- Reduced prime activation strength results in diminished inhibitory strength.
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