Frontiers in Psychology (Sep 2014)

The joint Simon effect: A review and theoretical integration

  • Thomas eDolk,
  • Thomas eDolk,
  • Bernhard eHommel,
  • Lorenza S Colzato,
  • Simone eSchütz-Bosbach,
  • Wolfgang ePrinz,
  • Roman eLiepelt

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00974
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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The social or joint Simon effect has been developed to investigate how and to what extent people mentally represent their own and other persons’ action/task and how these cognitive representations influence an individual’s own behavior when interacting with another person. Here, we provide a review of the available evidence and theoretical frameworks. Based on this review, we suggest a comprehensive theory that integrates aspects of earlier approaches–the Referential Coding Account. This account provides an alternative to the social interpretation of the (joint) go-nogo Simon effect (aka the social Simon effect) and is able to integrate seemingly opposite findings on joint action.

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