Binding a stimulus after, but not before, response execution: examining the temporal binding window of event files

Efficient and flexible responses are essential for successfully interacting with the environment. These interactions require an instantaneous integration of visual stimuli and responses, known as 'stimulus-response binding' (SR binding). SR binding is considered part of a holistic temporary representation, the event file, that integrates the stimulus, the response, and the action effect produced by this response. It is commonly assumed that an event file (or at least the SR binding) would end with the execution of the response or its action effect. This, however, has never been directly tested. Here, we tested whether the SR binding can be formed between another temporally close stimulus that people didn't respond to by implementing a sequence of two stimuli where participants needed to respond only to the first or second stimulus. Our results indicate that a binding between the response and this temporally close stimulus can occur, but only when it's placed after, and not before, the response execution. This finding suggests that the event file might operate a temporal binding window that is not decisively terminated by the response execution. Further, this insight into the temporal dynamics of the event file highlights the temporal flexibility of the SR binding and, thus, the need for careful consideration of its sub-structures and durability.