When a participant incorrectly states that there is a signal present when the signal is in fact, absent.

Santa Clara University

- one study found that response inhibition had improved as it decreased false alarm rates and it had increased the processing of a stimulus that was focused on. 
- this study suggested that maybe taVNS might be effective during periods of higher cognitive demand. This was supported by another study which showed that the Simon effect increased during conflict-filled trials

Ridgewell's meta-analysis: Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Response inhibition

Although the team found a lack of evidence supporting memory when using taVNS, it is important to look at the individual studies that the team analyzed: 

- one study found that taVNS created greater accuracy on a memory task, but had no difference in response times and number of false alarms. 

- another study found that taVNS had no effect on immediate or delayed word recognition in young and middle-aged adults. 

Ridgewell's meta analysis: Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Memory 

(No date/author) APA Dictionary of Psychology, false alarm. American Psychological Association.https://dictionary.apa.org/false-alarm

APA Definition of false alarm

What is a false alarm in psychology?

When someone responds to a stimulus because the location of the stimulus matches the location of the response, even if the location seems irrelevant.

What is the Simon Effect in psychology?

- More than the difficulty level of a task.
- It is similar to the state of "flow".
- This type of demand is when someone is so engaged with what they are doing that they are able to find appropriate resources and they loose track of time.

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