When imagining the effects of an action generates spatial compatibility: An introductory study

Previous research showed a Spatial Response-Effect Compatibility effect when participants were presented with the actual consequence triggered by their response or with the one ensuing from the movement of a stimulus on the monitor. The present study extends these findings by examining the role of imagination in the occurrence of the effect. Participants were shown the image of a volleyball superimposed on a hand and were asked to press one of two lateralized keys according to the side (right or left) they assumed the ball would end up. Even if participants were instructed only to imagine the consequences of the depicted action, we found a Spatial Response-Effect Compatibility, suggesting new perspectives on this interesting effect.