Stimulus conflict predicts conflict adaptation in a numerical flanker task.
Conflict monitoring theory states that response conflict triggers conflict adaptation, resulting in reduced congruency effects after response-incongruent trials (Botvinick, Braver, Barch, Carter, & Cohen, 2001). Verbruggen, Notebaert, Liefooghe, and Vandierendonck (2006) observed conflict adaptation after stimulus-incongruent trials without any response conflict. In this study, we further explorethe hypothesis that stimulus conflict is an important trigger for conflict adaptation. We propose a measure for stimulus conflict that adequately explains the data of Verbruggen et al. and new data from a numerical flanker task. We conclude that stimulus conflict and response conflict have dissociable effects on behavior. Whereas response conflict is a good predictor of response times, stimulus conflict is a better predictor of the adaptation effect.
Notebaert
Wim
W
Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. wim.notebaert@ugent.be
Verguts
Tom
T
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D008962:Models, Theoretical