The role of cognitive control and top-down processes in object affordances

A widely held though debatable claim is that the picture of an object like a frying pan automatically elicits features left/right-handed grasp action even in perceptual tasks make no demands on observer to consider graspable properties depicted object. Here, we sought further elucidate this by relying methodology allowed us distinguish between influence motor versus spatial codes selection response while electroencephalographic data were recorded. In our experiment, participants classified images pans as upright or inverted using left/right key press making reach-and-grasp towards centrally located element recorded (EEG) data. line with previous evidence (Bub, Masson, & van Noordenne, Journal Experiment Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 47(1), 53–80, 2021), these two modes responding generated distinct correspondence effects performance induced same set images. terms EEG data, found neither (the lateralized readiness potential) nor visual (N100 P100) potentials sensitive handle-response hand correspondence. However, exploratory theta analysis revealed changes frontal power mirrored different evoked image responses reach actions. Importantly, results provide link disparate engagement cognitive control, highlighting possible role top-down control processes separating from task-irrelevant object, thus claims regarding affordances more generally.