Prepared for the expected but unready for the unexpected: Unmet distractor expectations slow braking responsiveness but improve lane-keeping precision in a virtual driving simulation.

ABSTRACT: Driving requires attentional control mechanisms to enhance the detection of driving-relevant objects and to mitigate interference from distractors. While distractor suppression can be proactively engaged when distracting events are expected, this mechanism also comes along with both costs and benefits, affecting responsiveness and accuracy even in their temporary absence. We explored the effect of distractor expectations on driving performance. Through an immersive driving simulator, participants (N = 24) performed an adapted version of the Distractor Context Manipulation (DCM) paradigm. They navigated a circuit and promptly pressed the brake pedal whenever a road sign-like target appeared, under three different conditions: a Pure Block without distractors, and two Mixed Blocks, featuring

SUBMITTER: Massironi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12742790 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature