Theory and Research of Negative Compatibility Effect

Abstract

Abstract:

The Negative Compatibility Effect (NCE) is the surprising result that masked prime arrows inhibition responses of compatibility target arrows and facilitate responses to opposite-direction target arrows at the Prime-Target Interstimulus Interval (ISI) of around 100ms, which is reversed when ISI less than 60ms. NCE is a kind of subliminal perception，arising lots of researches because it is subliminal and counterintuitive. This article reviewed the major theories and researches of NCE, Including two major theories: Self-Inhibition hypothesis and perceptual interaction theory, and other three theories proposed in recent years: Two-System Interpretation hypothesis, Cognitive aftereffects hypothesis and Evaluation window account. Self-Inhibition Hypothesis proposed NCE is due to the inhibition of response code, reflecting an automatic self-inhibition of the response triggered by the invisible prime. It has been proved by the Lateralized Readiness Potential (LRP) and most behavioral research，but challenged by researches get NCE with visible prime. According to the Perceptual Interaction Theory, NCE is due to the perceptual interaction between the arrow prime and the mask when they have properties in common. It is not the visibility but the perceptual properties decide the direction of priming. But there are researches find NCE without mask or with stimulus without similar properties. Two-System Interpretation Hypothesis tries to combine the two major theories, proposed different mechanisms operate simultaneity in different way. But there still have some details to be considered. Cognitive Aftereffects Hypothesis considered NCE as an aftereffect that produce a negative image due to overexposure and habituation to a stimulus for reducing source confusion between successively presented stimuli. This hypothesis tries to explain NCE together with other negative priming effects from the view of neurobiology, but need more proofs. Key principle of the Evaluation Window Account is that participants evaluation incoming evidence across a time window, and decisions about stimulus category are driven by changes in evidence weighted according to the Weber-Fechner law, leading to NCE for primes falling outside the time window and PCE for primes inside the time window. The authors analyzed the problems and difficulties in NCE research, such as different standards of visibility in experimental control and different definitions of stimulus similarity，make it inappropriate to compare the result and reach different conclusions. Another problem is the difficulty to apply cognitive neuroscience method to investigate the neuromechanism of NCE because the time course is too short for the Event-Related Potential (ERP) study. As subliminal negative priming, NCE provide an important channel to comprehend unconscious cognition. Future research should focus on the neural mechanism and ecological significance of the effect, investigate the mechanism and function of NCE systematic and deeply. .

Key words: Negative Compatibility Effect, Masked Prime, Self-Inhibition, Object Update, Mask-triggered

摘要：

负相容效应指在掩蔽的箭头启动项后呈现箭头目标项时，对与启动项方向不一致的目标项反应更快。综述了负相容效应的主要理论及研究，包括自我抑制理论和知觉交互作用理论等。讨论了目前负相容效应研究面临的困难与挑战，包括实验控制条件的限制、掩蔽项与启动项特征的相似性以及应用认知神经研究方法进行研究的困难，并从理论更新与整合、神经基础、生态学意义视角等几方面对未来的研究做出展望。

CLC Number:

B842

Jia-ying Wang. Theory and Research of Negative Compatibility Effect[J]. Psychological Science, 2012, 35(6): 1353-1357.

王佳莹张明. 负相容效应理论与研究[J]. 心理科学, 2012, 35(6): 1353-1357.

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