Getting colour: Response priming with motion primes and colour targets without a priori response binding

In response priming, a prime stimulus influences the reaction to a subsequent target, depending on their compatibility regarding the same (compatible) or another (incompatible) response. Frequently found is a positive compatibility effect (PCE) with short stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) and a negative compatibility effect (NCE) with longer SOAs. Here, we examine the locus of the priming effects – more on Stimulus-Stimulus (S–S) or more on Stimulus-Response (S–R) associations. Experiment 1 used a moving dot-row prime and a static colour target. Experiment 2 implemented a continuous prime-to-target transition via colour change. The results revealed no significant compatibility effects at a short SOA (147 ms). At a long SOA (360 ms), Experiment 1 yielded an NCE, while Experiment 2 unexpectedly showed a tendency towards a PCE. These findings indicate that motion primes influence response tendencies depending on the specific stimulus binding, suggesting that the effects result from an interplay of perceptual and motor processes.