Conflict background triggered congruency sequence effects in graphic judgment task

Abstract

Congruency sequence effects refer to the reduction of congruency effects when following an incongruent trial than following a congruent trial. The conflict monitoring account, one of the most influential contributions to this effect, assumes that the sequential modulations are evoked by response conflict. The present study aimed at exploring the congruency sequence effects in the absence of response conflict. We found congruency sequence effects occurred in graphic judgment task, in which the conflict stimuli acted as irrelevant information. The findings reveal that processing task-irrelevant conflict stimulus features could also induce sequential modulations of interference. The results do not support the interpretation of conflict monitoring and favor a feature integration account that the congruency sequence effects are attributed to the repetitions of stimulus and response features.

Figure 1. Congruency sequence effects.

Mean reaction times (RTs) and mean error rates for congruent and incongruent trials in the present trial (N) depending on the congruency of the previous trial (N−1).

Figure 2. Feature integration effects.

Mean reaction times (RTs) and mean error rates as a function of the repetition versus alternation of response key/graphic shape and Stroop stimulus congruency level.