Validating a Novel Auditory Flanker Task

Tasks that are implemented in more than one sensory modality are invaluable tools for differentiating supramodal and sensory-specific neural operations. Nevertheless, the study of cognitive control has predominantly been carried out using visual tasks. Some conflict tasks, such as Stroop or Simon tasks, are easily translated to audition. By contrast, the simultaneous delivery of target and flanker stimuli in auditory flanker tasks raises the possibility that interference could reflect perceptual masking rather than conflict. Separating target and flanker stimuli in space or time can reduce or eliminate the potential for masking but co-located and simultaneous delivery is desirable for some applications. The purpose of this study is to explore whether masking can fully account for the interference that occurs in such a task. By employing flankers that induce different levels of informational masking (phonological or semantic) as well as a conflicting flanker (incorrect response direction), this study provides evidence that auditory flanker tasks with co-located talkers can indeed index cognitive control.