Abstract
It has been long assumed that cognitive control processes can only be applied on consciously visible stimuli, but empirical evidence is contradictory. In the present study, we investigated strategic adaptation to conflict both in unmasked and in low-visibility masked trials. Using a paradigm derived from the Stroop task, we studied the application of strategies, but also the transfer of a strategy developed in unmasked trials to masked trials, and the trial-to-trial dynamics of strategic processing. In unmasked trials, we found evidence of strategic adaptation to conflict, both in reaction times and in ERPs (N2 and P300). In masked trials we found no evidence of behavioral adaptation to conflict, but a modulation of the P300 was present in masked trials included in unmasked blocks, suggesting the existence of a transfer of strategy. Finally, trial-to-trial analyses in unmasked trials revealed a pattern suggestive of dynamic subjective adherence to the instructed strategy.
Highlights
Cognitive control refers to our ability to rapidly and flexibly adapt our behavior depending on our current goals and environment
Adaptation to conflict frequency was studied in 5 conditions: unmasked and masked baseline conditions, unmasked and masked mostly-incongruent conditions, as well as masked trials included in unmasked mostlyincongruent blocks
We analyzed the Stroop effect, as measured by the difference in reaction times between incongruent and congruent trials. Note that this effect was not significantly different between the baseline block included at the beginning of the experiment and the baseline block presented at the end of the experiment, both for masked (t(19) = -1.57, p = 0.13) and unmasked (t(19) = 1.03, p = 0.32) conditions
Summary
Cognitive control refers to our ability to rapidly and flexibly adapt our behavior depending on our current goals and environment. There is a response conflict between the relevant information (the color of the ink) and the irrelevant information (the meaning of the word), and participants are typically slower to respond than in congruent trials This effect is known as the Stroop effect. It can be modulated depending on the context: the influence of irrelevant information is reduced when response conflict is frequent (e.g. in a block of trial —[4]) or recent (e.g. in the previous trial—[5]). This Gratton effect reflects the adaptation to response conflict and is a typical example of cognitive control
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