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Psychological Phenomena

Simon Effect

Perception and Psychophysics Effects

The Simon effect is a cognitive phenomenon in which people respond faster and more accurately to a stimulus when the stimulus and the required response are on the same side, compared with trials where they are on opposite sides, even when the stimulus's location has no bearing on which response is correct. It is comparable to the Stroop effect but arises from spatial rather than semantic interference between the stimulus and the response.

Facts
Core Claim
Responses are faster and more accurate when stimulus and response are on the same side than when they are on opposite sides. 1
First Described Year
1967 1
Classification
Type of Phenomenon
Cognitive Phenomenon 1
Sources
1. Simon effect, Wikipedia
  • Lead section
    The Simon effect is the difference in accuracy or reaction time between trials in which stimulus and response are on the same side and trials in which they are on opposite sides, with responses being generally slower and less accurate when the stimulus and response are on opposite sides.
  • Lead section, first demonstration
    what is usually seen as the first genuine demonstration of the effect that became known as the Simon effect is by Simon & Rudell (1967).
  • lead section, phenomenon-kind classification
    The Simon effect is a cognitive phenomenon in which people respond faster and more accurately to a stimulus when the stimulus and the required response are on the same side, compared with trials where they are on opposite sides, even when the stimulus's location has no bearing on which response is correct.
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