Using Structural Equation Modeling to Examine McCollough Effects (Orientation-Contingent Color Aftereffects): Influence of Dissociative Experiences and Age on Illusory Aftereffects

Conventional accounts of the McCollough Effect (ME) have focused on strictly bottom-up processing accounts of the phenomenon, most commonly involving the fatiguing of orientation-selective neurons; although association-learning mechanisms have also gained acceptance. These lower order accounts do not take into account higher order variables related to key personality traits and/or associated cognitive control processes. This article reports the use of confirmatory factor analysis and follow-up structural equation style regressions that model MEs and also the part played by the personality trait of dissociation. After considering the relative impact of age and dissociative processes, the article concludes that trait dissociation is positively associated with reports of MEs.