Fehlanreize

Fehlanreize are stimuli or cues that trigger an incorrect response or judgment because they are misinterpreted or misassociated within a given context. They arise when a cue that has historically predicted a certain consequence is presented in a different context, or when multiple cues conflict, leading the observer to rely on an inappropriate signal.

The mechanisms involve learned associations and context sensitivity. A cue may generalize beyond its valid domain, or discrimination between similar cues may fail. Factors such as cognitive load, attention lapses, and perceptual biases can increase susceptibility to Fehlanreize.

Contexts in which Fehlanreize are discussed include experimental psychology, human factors, marketing, and clinical neuropsychology. In experiments, such cues can contaminate data by eliciting responses tied to the wrong signal. In design and human-computer interaction, inconsistent color, layout, or iconography can create misleading cues that prompt incorrect actions or judgments.

Examples include a tone that was previously paired with a reward but becomes a false cue for a response when contingencies change, or a temporary road sign that cues drivers to act inappropriately if it does not match permanent rules. In marketing, misleading cues about product quality or credibility can bias judgments.

Implications of Fehlanreize include performance decrements, erroneous judgments, and the reinforcement of wrong associations. They complicate data interpretation and design processes. Mitigation strategies emphasize cue consistency across contexts, explicit training on cue validity, redesign of cues to minimize overlap, and testing for cue robustness across tasks.