Transfer of incompatible spatial mapping to the vertical Simon task generalizes across effectors but not stimulus features

Abstract

For the vertical Simon task, in which stimuli and responses are arrayed along the vertical dimension and stimulus location is irrelevant, a Simon effect (benefit for stimulus-response correspondence) is typically obtained. Results have been mixed about whether performing fewer than 100 trials of a spatially incompatible mapping prior to a Simon task reduces or eliminates this vertical Simon effect in a transfer session. Several reasons have been suggested to explain why previous studies show disparate results. Previously, we ruled out orientation of the response panel in the transverse or horizontal plane as a critical factor. The present experiments evaluated two other possible factors: finger/hand placement and relevant stimulus dimension. In Experiment 1, we found reduction of the vertical Simon effect for a circle-square discrimination after incompatible practice using a separate numeric keypad as the response device, regardless of whether the keypad was placed on a table and operated by index fingers or held in the hands and operated by thumbs. In Experiment 2, we replicated the reduction for the circle-square discrimination but found no evidence of reduction for a red-green color discrimination. Overall, our results suggest that the relevant discrimination of red-green color versus circle-square shape is responsible for the discrepancy in results across prior studies.

Is effector visibility critical for performance asymmetries in the Simon task? Evidence from hand- and foot-press responses

“…Fourth, participants in Wallace's experiments made circle/square form judgments, whereas those in our experiments made red/green color judgments. There is not an obvious reason why the difference in the required judgment would matter, although Zhong, Proctor, Xiong, and Vu (2020) found apparent differences for form and color judgments in variations of the Simon task for vertically oriented stimulus and response displays. Regardless of why our results differed from those of Wallace, they show unambiguously that the Simon effect asymmetry for right-handed persons, due to the faster response with the dominant limb, can be obtained in conditions for which participants do not see the response device or their limbs placed on it.…”

Assessing Inhibitory Control in the Real World Is Virtually Possible: A Virtual Reality Demonstration

“…Since their creation, both Simon and flanker tasks have evolved to adapt their applicability over different presentation modalities to reach a broad spectrum of samples [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. As a result of these modifications, nowadays, inhibitory control data coming from these paradigms can be easily obtained with stimuli presented in the visual modality [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], the auditory modality [ 33 , 34 ], and the tactile modality [ 35 ]. Furthermore, some of these modifications have included materials adapted to different age groups [ 26 , 36 ] and special populations with and without medical conditions [ 37 , 38 ].…”

Assessing executive functions in the real world is virtually possible

“…Since their creation, both the Simon and anker tasks have evolved to adapt their applicability over different presentation modalities to reach a broad spectrum of samples [23][24][25][26][27] . As a result of these modi cations, inhibitory control data from these paradigms with stimuli presented in the visual modality [28][29][30][31] , the auditory modality [32,33] and the tactile modality [34] can now be easily obtained ] . This has allowed researchers to assess participants from different age groups [23,35] and special populations with and without medical conditions [36,37] .…”