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The development of the Simon effect when automating keying sequences

GRASEMANN, R. (2016) The development of the Simon effect when automating keying sequences.

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Abstract:An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the impact of the Simon effect on the performance of the discrete sequence production task. During the experiment, we had 16 participants practice two seven-key sequences by pressing four keys corresponding to four letters that appeared within one of four placeholders on a screen in a predetermined order. In order to explore the development of the Simon effect the letters were presented at congruent and incongruent letter locations. Results indicate that reaction times and error proportions decrease over practice due to motor chunk development and that the Simon effect causes significantly longer reaction times and higher error proportions. At the end of the practice phase a test block was implemented in which two unfamiliar sequences were introduced. Results showed that the Simon effect caused lower reaction times and error proportions at familiar sequences. Although the Simon effect remains present overall, it was indicated that the effect on some individual responses may vanish. This work provides noteworthy contributions to the field of discrete sequence production and might contribute to the ongoing debate on the mechanisms underlying the Simon effect.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/70009
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