Shifting and zooming through space … or not: The role of attention in spatial compatibility tasks - A replication of Stoffer (1991)

Shifting and zooming through space … or not: The role of attention in spatial compatibility tasks - A replication of Stoffer (1991) | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Shifting and zooming through space … or not: The role of attention in spatial compatibility tasks - A replication of Stoffer (1991) Pamela Baess, Shabnamalsadat Ayatollahi, Christina Bermeitinger, and 5 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8552040/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The mechanism underlying the Simon effect remains debated, with two prominent theories – the attention-shifting account (Stoffer, 1991 ) or the referential coding account (Hommel, 1993 ) – offering competing explanations. To date, neither account can fully explain all available empirical data. Most published studies rely on limited sample sizes, which constrains statistical power and leaves the field without conclusive evidence. This study directly replicated Stoffer’s ( 1991 ) investigation into attentional subprocesses that generate the Simon effect. We manipulated target spatial position across two reference frames: a global frame based on target’s screen side and a local frame defined by the relative position within each screen side, allowing us to test for both global and local Simon effects. Targets were presented inside precues, either a large box or two small boxes, which were presented simultaneously with or sequentially before the target. With an adequately-powered sample, our study revealed concurrent global and local Simon effects – a result absent from Stoffer’s original findings. Only the local Simon effect varied with precue type and simultaneous or sequential target presentation. These results clarify the conditions under which attentional shifting and referential coding mechanisms contribute to different Simon effects, demonstrating that when spatial target positions are defined by both global and local reference frames, these mechanisms shape the emergence of distinct Simon effects in different ways. Simon effect spatial compatibility attentional shifting referential coding perception and action Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 12 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 12 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 11 Feb, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 16 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 16 Jan, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 16 Jan, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 13 Jan, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 10 Jan, 2026 First submitted to journal 08 Jan, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8552040","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":576876618,"identity":"4241c0cf-36de-4497-b716-c5387e9901ca","order_by":0,"name":"Pamela Baess","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABAklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACAwhlw8DAzMDGkFDAzMAgwcBwAMQloCUNqsWAeC2HQQQbkAvRwoBPizn74cMff+44n7idnYHtwQMDazn52c0HD91gsJbDpcWyJy1NmvfM7cSdzQzsBgkG6cYGd44lHM5hSDfG6bADOWbMjG23Ezcc5v8mkWBwOHGDRI4BUMvhxAZcWs6///zxZ9s5oBYGNpCW+vkz8j+AtNTj1HIjh0GCt+0AXEsCA1AEpCUBp19mPDMD+iXZGKol3XDDjTSgw4AMXLaY8yc/BoaYneyG8wfYJH9UWMvLz0h+/DkHyMBlCxgwYhpogFcDVi2jYBSMglEwChAAAMpJWpI1NiWBAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"University of Hildesheim","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Pamela","middleName":"","lastName":"Baess","suffix":""},{"id":576876625,"identity":"a3b4ced7-56e0-4970-9e1d-0d73a77555c5","order_by":1,"name":"Shabnamalsadat Ayatollahi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Hildesheim","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Shabnamalsadat","middleName":"","lastName":"Ayatollahi","suffix":""},{"id":576876633,"identity":"7068da19-afe8-4e21-8ff8-2f73618e6241","order_by":2,"name":"Christina Bermeitinger","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Hildesheim","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Christina","middleName":"","lastName":"Bermeitinger","suffix":""},{"id":576876641,"identity":"f298aaf7-f307-4b99-acbd-55d479485289","order_by":3,"name":"Luisa Bogenschütz","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Hildesheim","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Luisa","middleName":"","lastName":"Bogenschütz","suffix":""},{"id":576876648,"identity":"59ce25d5-aadc-47aa-ae08-1c5a5b52d269","order_by":4,"name":"Pia Fenske","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Hildesheim","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Pia","middleName":"","lastName":"Fenske","suffix":""},{"id":576876651,"identity":"9b9376b4-e9bd-4414-aded-5fd00c4e2a8b","order_by":5,"name":"Ryan P. 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(1991)","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"psychological-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"prpf","sideBox":"Learn more about [Psychological Research](http://link.springer.com/journal/426)","snPcode":"426","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/426/3","title":"Psychological Research","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Simon effect, spatial compatibility, attentional shifting, referential coding, perception and action","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8552040/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8552040/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe mechanism underlying the Simon effect remains debated, with two prominent theories \u0026ndash; the attention-shifting account (Stoffer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e) or the referential coding account (Hommel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1993\u003c/span\u003e) \u0026ndash; offering competing explanations. To date, neither account can fully explain all available empirical data. Most published studies rely on limited sample sizes, which constrains statistical power and leaves the field without conclusive evidence. This study directly replicated Stoffer\u0026rsquo;s (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e) investigation into attentional subprocesses that generate the Simon effect. We manipulated target spatial position across two reference frames: a global frame based on target\u0026rsquo;s screen side and a local frame defined by the relative position within each screen side, allowing us to test for both global and local Simon effects. Targets were presented inside precues, either a large box or two small boxes, which were presented simultaneously with or sequentially before the target. With an adequately-powered sample, our study revealed concurrent global and local Simon effects \u0026ndash; a result absent from Stoffer\u0026rsquo;s original findings. Only the local Simon effect varied with precue type and simultaneous or sequential target presentation. These results clarify the conditions under which attentional shifting \u003cem\u003eand\u003c/em\u003e referential coding mechanisms contribute to different Simon effects, demonstrating that when spatial target positions are defined by both global and local reference frames, these mechanisms shape the emergence of distinct Simon effects in different ways.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Shifting and zooming through space … or not: The role of attention in spatial compatibility tasks - A replication of Stoffer (1991)","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-01-20 16:17:55","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8552040/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-02-12T09:47:04+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-02-12T09:16:52+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-02-11T16:23:20+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"35248495845066018839239144076274168996","date":"2026-01-19T13:28:32+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"158473366308934073851791765476937977139","date":"2026-01-16T11:23:34+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"147021085773685581200346740141964943791","date":"2026-01-16T06:50:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-01-16T06:29:49+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-01-13T12:46:57+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-01-10T10:56:06+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Psychological Research","date":"2026-01-08T12:35:47+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"psychological-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"prpf","sideBox":"Learn more about [Psychological Research](http://link.springer.com/journal/426)","snPcode":"426","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/426/3","title":"Psychological Research","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"0a9ea5ed-d439-4ca7-b9df-3bc3a7a0968c","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 20th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-13T02:24:10+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-01-20 16:17:55","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8552040","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8552040","identity":"rs-8552040","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}