This study investigated the locus of the interference
effect in a stimulus–response compatibility task
using event-related potentials (ERPs). Ten participants
were instructed to respond to stimulus color with the left
or right middle finger. Red or blue arrows pointed in the
same direction as the response hand on congruent trials
and pointed in the opposite direction on incongruent trials.
Neutral trials were red or blue horizontal bars. Reaction
times (RTs) to incongruent stimuli were significantly longer
than RTs to congruent stimuli. The peak latency of the
P300 for incongruent stimuli was significantly longer than
that for congruent stimuli. In addition, onset of stimulus-locked
lateralized readiness potential (LRPs) was significantly
later for incongruent stimuli than for congruent stimuli.
However, electromyogram (EMG)-locked LRPs for incongruent
stimuli showed incorrect preparation. These results suggest
that the interference effect might occur at the stage in
which stimulus evaluation processes and response-related
processes overlap.