Abstract:

Acquired spatial incompatible stimulus-response associations in a prior practice task can reduce, eliminate, or even reverse the Simon effect in a subsequent transfer task. This is called the transfer-of- learning (ToL) effect. Researchers have found some factors that influence the ToL effect in both individual and social situations. Some relevant theoretical explanations, e.g., the short-term memory associations account, the bottom-up priming mechanism and the response-opposite strategy, can explain the ToL effect. Future research should seek to clarify whether or not the stimulus-response transfer is bidirectional, and explore the cognitive neural mechanisms involved, as well as the developmental aspects of the ToL effect.

Key words: transfer-of-learning effect, social-transfer-of-learning effect, Simon effect, individual situations, social situations