Analysing the relationship between target-to-target and distractor-to-target repetitions: evidence for a common mechanism.
In the present study an assumption of retrieval theories of negative priming was tested. In particular, retrieval theories assume that the same underlying process causes benefits in target-to-target repetition trials and cost effects in distractor-to-target repetition trials in selection tasks in which targets are accompanied by distractor stimuli. More specifically, retrieval theories predict a negative correlation: The higher the benefit in target-to-target repetition trials is, the higher the cost effect in distractor-to-target repetition trials should be. In fact, in a study with considerable power (N = 110) and a design that allowed a confound-free detection of correlations, I observed a significant negative correlation between benefit and cost effects. This result is interpreted as evidence for a common retrieval mechanism.
Frings
Christian
C
Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrucken, Germany. c.frings@mx.uni-saarland.de
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011930:Reaction Time; D055815:Young Adult