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MENTAL MODEL · M4450

The Simon Effect

The Simon Effect
Learn & MetacognitionHigh supportCognitive Psychology
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Updated 2026-08-08

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INTRODUCTION

English translation pending.

CORE DEFINITION

Described by J. Richard Simon in the 1960s. When a stimulus appears on one side but requires a response on the other, responses are slower and less accurate than when the two locations match, even though location is irrelevant to the task. The effect shows that spatial information is processed automatically and prepares a response before deliberate instructions can override it. It is a standard demonstration of stimulus-response compatibility.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

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- Match the mapping: align controls and stimuli spatially so the automatic response agrees with the required one - Find the conflict: when errors cluster, check whether location and required action disagree - Design for the hand: place the control where the user's attention already points

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Spatial location is processed automatically and activates the response on the same side, because the perceptual and motor systems share a spatial code. When the required response is on the opposite side, the automatic activation must be suppressed and the correct response selected, which takes additional time. The conflict occurs even though the participant knows location is irrelevant.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_effectZH · Explicit
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