The locus of inhibition in the priming of static objects: object token versus location.

The inhibition witnessed in the negative priming effect has been accounted for by positing an object file containing both identity and location information. In the present study, four experiments with 31 human subjects replicate the negative priming effect and, using new dual-target conditions where subjects respond to the target first perceived on a two-target forced-choice probe trial, suggest that location alone could account for the observed inhibition. Experiment 1 establishes an RT baseline for the new dual-target condition, whereas Experiments 2 and 3 replicate previously found single-target effects under dual-target conditions. Experiment 4 allows a concurrent determination of the inhibition accruing to both the target and distractor. The results are discussed relative to the likely existence of different kinds of inhibition which reveal themselves as a function of task demands.