Anticipated Action Effects Affect the Selection, Initiation, and Execution of Actions

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of contingent action effects on response production. In Experiment 1 responses of varying intensity were initiated faster when contingently followed by auditory effects of corresponding rather than of noncorresponding intensity. This response-effect (R-E) compatibility influence was robust with respect to practice, and it was not due to persisting influences of preceding R-E episodes. These results support the conclusion that R-E compatibility reflects the impact of anticipatory effect representations in response production. Experiment 2 showed that anticipatory effect codes have an impact on early processes of response production (response selection) as well as on processes that immediately precede overt responding (response initiation). Finally, they also influence the way the actions are physically performed (response execution). The results support and specify ideo-motor theories of action control that assume movements to be controlled by anticipations of their sensorial effects.

Stroking me softly: Body-related effects in effect-based action control

“…Response execution, however, was barely modulated by R-E compatibility, suggesting that the effect of anticipation processes takes place in the early stages of response planning and initiation (cf. Kunde, 2003;Kunde et al, 2004;Shin & Proctor, 2012). Thus, anticipations of body-related action effects seem to follow a time course similar to that of anticipations of effects in the environment.…”

“…For environment-related effects, previous results have demonstrated crucial roles of effect anticipation during both response selection and response initiation (Kunde, 2003;Kunde, Koch, & Hoffmann, 2004;Shin & Proctor, 2012). More precisely, these studies assumed that anticipated effects can be activated with different strengths and that an action is executed eventually when this strength exceeds a certain threshold.…”

“…More precisely, these studies assumed that anticipated effects can be activated with different strengths and that an action is executed eventually when this strength exceeds a certain threshold. Intentionally recollecting a possible effect, therefore, can be used to raise the subthreshold activation of an action relative to other actions (response selection), and it can be used to actually prompt the action (response initiation; Kunde et al, 2004;Shin & Proctor, 2012).…”

“…3 and 4). For environment-related effects, previous studies in the R-E compatibility paradigm have suggested prominent roles of effect anticipations during both, action selection and action initiation (Kunde, 2003;Kunde, Koch, & Hoffmann, 2004;Shin & Proctor, 2012). More precisely, these studies implemented a precue that informed about the to-beperformed action, which only had to be initiated after a variable cue-go interval (CGI).…”

Effective Rotations: Action Effects Determine the Interplay of Mental and Manual Rotations

“…In another condition (R-E incompatible mapping), the effect occurs on the opposite side. Responses are faster with the compatible than with the incompatible mapping-the R-E compatibility effect (Kunde, 2001;Kunde, Koch, & Hoffmann, 2004; With the plane-moving display, control wheel and plane always move in compatible directions (counterclockwise in this example). With the horizon-moving display, by contrast, control wheel and horizon always move in incompatible directions (e.g., a counterclockwise rotation of the control wheel makes the horizon rotate clockwise).…”