Sequential adaptation to modality incompatibility.

Abstract

Modality-compatible stimulus-response mappings (e.g., responding vocally to an auditory stimulus and manually to a visual stimulus) are often easier to perform than modality-incompatible sets (reversed modality mappings). Here, we investigate sequential, trial-to-trial, modulations of modality compatibility effects. By reanalyzing a previous experiment and conducting two specifically tailored, new experiments, we demonstrate robust within-task sequential modulations. Furthermore, we test for between-task adaptations by intermixing the modality switching task with a Simon task. Results show reliable sequential adaptations within the modality switching task, but no transfer of adaptation between tasks in either direction. We discuss how a combination of prominent theoretical accounts such as conflict adaptation and episodic binding can serve as the cognitive underpinnings of the observed sequential adaptations. Public Significance StatementHuman agents appear to be more apt to respond to certain modalities of stimulation like vision (or audition) with certain types of responses, like manual (or vocal) responses. This so-called modality compatibility effect presumably results from long-term learning, which links certain stimulus modalities to certain response modalities. Here, we show that performance deficits with modality incompatible mappings are subject to short-term fluctuations as a function of immediately preceding experience. Thus, apparently highly overlearned preferences of responding in certain ways to certain types of stimulation can become adjusted on a short timescale, suggesting a remarkable flexibility of the sensorimotor system.