title: [llocalization of grouping effect in overlapping tasks].
abstract: In certain kinds of overlapping tasks subjects have to respond to two stimuli (S1 and S2), presented in close succession with variable onset asynchrony (SOA), carrying out two different responses (R1 and R2). When responding to S1 is given priority over S2 processing, reaction time (RT) to the first stimulus is unaffected by SOA. However, sometimes subjects adopt, either spontaneously or because of instruction, a different processing strategy called grouping. In this case R1 is postponed until R2 has been determined too. The present study addresses the localization of the postponed processing stage by means of the lateralized readiness potential (LRP). One group of subjects was instructed to group responses and a second group was to give priority to S1 processing. The adherence to instructions was verified by subjects' reaction times. In case of grouping the interval between LRP onset and overt reaction increased proportionally to the postponement caused by SOA. In contrast, the interval between stimulus and LRP onset was unaffected by SOA. These findings speak against assumptions that grouping causes response activation postponement; rather, the corresponding reaction is already selected and activated prior to postponement.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Psychologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leuthold
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abdel-Rahman
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Pfütze
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D003265:Contingent Negative Variation / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005556:Form Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012033:Refractory Period, Psychological / Q000502:physiology
vernacular_title: Die Lokalisierung des Gruppierungseffektes bei überlappenden Aufgaben.