Abstract: The conflict adaptation effect (CAE) refers to the phenomenon that the interference effects are smaller following an incongruent stimulus than following a congruent one. Three theoretical accounts are developed to explain the mechanisms underlying CAE: conflict monitoring theory, feature integration account, and online learning account. Many studies have been conducted for CAE in these three fields (investigating the nature, domain and extent of the conflicts which induce CAE). Meanwhile, a few studies have been conducted investigating the influencing factors of CAE. In order to get a clear view of the CAE essence, future studies should combine the cognitive factors and non-cognitive factors to explore the influence factors of CAE. Furthermore, it is important to strengthen the neural mechanisms study.

Key words: conflict adaptation effect, conflict monitoring theory, feature integration account, online learning account, cognitive control