Unbewusste Wahrnehmung
Handlungsdeterminierende Reizerwartungen bestimmen die Wirksamkeit subliminaler Reize
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Die Wirkungsweise unbewusster Reize wird unter anderem mit der Methode des subliminalen Primings untersucht. Subliminal präsentierte Prime-Reize beeinflussen die Verarbeitung eines Targets, wenn ihre Verarbeitung intendiert ist und diese Reize im Experimentalkontext erwartet werden können. Zur Erklärung dieser Befunde haben wir existierende Konzepte zur Handlungsvorbereitung weiterentwickelt. Das Erklärungskonzept der handlungsdeterminierenden Reizerwartungen postuliert einen zweistufigen Prozess für Vorbereitung und Ausführung intendierter Handlungen. Zunächst werden handlungsdeterminierende Reizerwartungen spezifiziert entsprechend der aktuell instruierten Aufgabe bzw. des erlebten Aufgabenkontextes. Als zweiter Prozess findet ein Abgleich des tatsächlichen Reizes mit den Reizerwartungen statt. Stimmt der Reiz mit den handlungsdeterminierenden Reizerwartungen überein, wird die entsprechende Reaktion automatisch aktiviert. Dieser Ansatz kann viele Befunde zum subliminalem Priming erklären, die bisher widersprüchlich erschienen. Er ist nicht nur auf übliche Experimentalkontexte mit Zweifachwahlreaktionen anwendbar, sondern gilt auch für Aufgabenkontexte mit mehrfachen Handlungsbereitschaften und für die freie Wahl zwischen zwei Handlungsalternativen. Ob das Erklärungskonzept der handlungsdeterminierenden Reizerwartungen ausreicht, um alle Arten des subliminalen Primings zu erklären ist unklar. Hier ist weitere Forschung notwendig um zu klären ob und gegebenenfalls unter welchen Bedingungen unbewusste Reize komplexere Verarbeitungsprozesse, wie semantische Verarbeitung oder exekutive Kontrollprozesse beeinflussen.
Abstract. Research on unconscious cognition applies the subliminal priming paradigm. Subliminally presented prime-stimuli influence target processing when participants intend to processes these stimuli and when they expect these stimuli in the current task context. To account for these findings, we developed existing theories on action preparation further. Our ”action trigger account” postulates a 2-step process for preparation and execution of intended actions. First, participants specify action-triggers, that is, they build up expectations regarding imperative stimuli for the required responses according to task instructions and task contexts. Second, stimuli that match these ”action triggers” directly activate the corresponding responses. This account allows to explain contradictory findings in subliminal priming research. The action trigger account is not restricted to typical forced choice tasks with two response alternatives. Instead the account likewise applies to task contexts with multiple task sets and for free choice tasks. An open question is whether the account is suitable to explain all types of subliminal priming. Here more research is required to reveal whether subliminal stimuli impact on more complex cognitive function like semantic processing or executive control functions.
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