PRP training shows Task1 response selection is the locus of the backward response compatibility effect
Sandra J Thomson1, Lila K Danis, Scott Watter
1Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada, thomsosj@mcmaster.ca.
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|May 22, 2014
Summary
Practice in the psychological refractory period (PRP) paradigm reduces the backward compatibility effect (BCE). This suggests the BCE arises from Task1 response selection, not Task2.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Human performance
Background:
- The backward compatibility effect (BCE) is a phenomenon in cognitive psychology.
- Understanding the underlying mechanisms of the BCE is crucial for explaining response priming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how practice within a psychological refractory period (PRP) paradigm influences the BCE.
- To determine the specific stage of Task1 processing where the BCE originates.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted using a PRP paradigm.
- Participants' performance was analyzed before and after practice to assess changes in the BCE and Task1 response selection duration.
Main Results:
- The magnitude of the BCE was found to be directly correlated with the duration of the response selection stage in Task1.
- Shortening the Task1 response selection stage through PRP practice led to a decreased BCE.
- Increasing Task1 response selection duration enhanced the BCE, while Task2 manipulation had no effect.
Conclusions:
- The BCE appears to stem from crosstalk of Task2 response information impacting Task1's response selection stage.
- Response information for both tasks might be activated concurrently, influencing performance on the primary task.
