Abstract
We investigated the basis of change detection in a short-term priming task. In two experiments, participants were asked to
indicate whether or not a target word was the same as a previously presented cue. Data from an experiment measuring magnetoencephalography
failed to find different patterns for “same” and “different” responses, consistent with the claim that both arise from a common
neural source, with response magnitude defining the difference between immediate novelty versus familiarity. In a behavioral
experiment, we tested and confirmed the predictions of a habituation account of these judgments by comparing conditions in
which the target, the cue, or neither was primed by its presentation in the previous trial. As predicted, cue-primed trials
had faster response times, and target-primed trials had slower response times relative to the neither-primed baseline. These
results were obtained irrespective of response repetition and stimulus–response contingencies. The behavioral and brain activity
data support the view that detection of change drives performance in these tasks and that the underlying mechanism is neuronal
habituation.
indicate whether or not a target word was the same as a previously presented cue. Data from an experiment measuring magnetoencephalography
failed to find different patterns for “same” and “different” responses, consistent with the claim that both arise from a common
neural source, with response magnitude defining the difference between immediate novelty versus familiarity. In a behavioral
experiment, we tested and confirmed the predictions of a habituation account of these judgments by comparing conditions in
which the target, the cue, or neither was primed by its presentation in the previous trial. As predicted, cue-primed trials
had faster response times, and target-primed trials had slower response times relative to the neither-primed baseline. These
results were obtained irrespective of response repetition and stimulus–response contingencies. The behavioral and brain activity
data support the view that detection of change drives performance in these tasks and that the underlying mechanism is neuronal
habituation.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-19
- DOI 10.3758/s13415-011-0056-8
- Authors
- Eddy J. Davelaar, Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX UK
- Xing Tian, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Christoph T. Weidemann, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK
- David E. Huber, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Journal Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience
- Online ISSN 1531-135X
- Print ISSN 1530-7026