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The Simon effect in action: planning and/or on-line control effects?
Claudia Scorolli1, Antonello Pellicano2, Roberto Nicoletti3
1Department of Psychology, University of Bologna.
Cognitive Science
|October 22, 2014
Summary
The Simon effect, a spatial compatibility, impacts action planning and online control during movements. This study found the Simon effect influences movement kinematics even with early response selection, suggesting broader effects on action control.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Motor Control
Background:
- The Simon effect demonstrates spatial stimulus-response compatibility, influencing action planning and execution.
- Previous research suggests the Simon effect primarily impacts action planning when response selection precedes movement.
- The precise influence of the Simon effect on the online control of non-ballistic movements remains an area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the Simon effect influences the online control phase of non-ballistic movements when response selection is precocious.
- To determine if spatial stimulus-response compatibility effects extend to kinematic parameters during movement execution.
- To explore conflict adaptation across trials in the context of the Simon effect and response selection.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed a choice reaction task involving visual stimuli (colored squares) and manual responses (button release, reaching, and pressing).
- Stimulus location varied spatially relative to the response location, creating conditions for the Simon effect.
- Movement kinematics were analyzed to assess online control, and trial-by-trial conflict adaptation was examined.
Main Results:
- Evidence for the Simon effect was found in both action planning and online movement control.
- The study detected the Simon effect's influence on the kinematics of movement execution, even with early response selection.
- Conflict adaptation across trials (n-1) was observed, indicating a modulation of response interference based on previous trial conflict.
Conclusions:
- The Simon effect impacts not only action planning but also the online control of non-ballistic movements.
- Precocious response selection does not eliminate the Simon effect's influence on movement kinematics.
- Conflict adaptation mechanisms play a role in modulating response interference in tasks involving spatial compatibility and sequential trials.
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