Action-effect sharing induces task-set sharing in joint task switching

Abstract

A central issue in the study of joint task performance has been one of whether co-acting individuals perform their partner's part of the task as if it were their own. The present study addressed this issue by using joint task switching. A pair of actors shared two tasks that were presented in a random order, whereby the relevant task and actor were cued on each trial. Responses produced action effects that were either shared or separate between co-actors. When co-actors produced separate action effects, switch costs were obtained within the same actor (i.e., when the same actor performed consecutive trials) but not between co-actors (when different actors performed consecutive trials), implying that actors did not perform their co-actor's part. When the same action effects were shared between co-actors, however, switch costs were also obtained between co-actors, implying that actors did perform their co-actor's part. The results indicated that shared action effects induce task-set sharing between co-acting individuals.

Is Your Color My Color? Dividing the Labor of the Stroop Task between Co-actors

“…For instance, there are a number of studies on the joint Simon task that showed that the joint Simon effect depended on various social factors (e.g., Hommel, Colzato, & van den Wildenberg, 2009;Iani, Anelli, Nicoletti, Arcuri, & Rubichi, 2011;Ruys & Aarts, 2010). It has also been shown in joint task switching that switch cost was reinstated after the co-actor's trials when two actors shared the same action effect (Yamaguchi et al, 2017a). These observations seem to be consistent with the two-mode hypothesis of the joint task performance.…”

“…Previous findings support this position, showing that the actors in the joint Simon task monitor the proportion of compatible trials for their own part but not for their co-actor's part (Yamaguchi, Wall, & Hommel, 2018a) and that the actors in a joint task-switching setting do not monitor the task that their co-actor has performed on a preceding trial (Wenke et al, 2011; DIVIDING THE LABOR OF THE STROOP TASK 5 Yamaguchi, Wall, & Hommel, 2017b). Such task monitoring appears to occur under specific conditions (Dudarev & Hassin, 2016;Liefooghe, 2016;Yamaguchi, Wall, & Hommel, 2017a). Therefore, the actors may only represent limited aspects of the co-actor's part of the task, and they divide the labor of the joint task, eliminating an additional burden monitoring their co-actor's part of the task.…”

Is Your Color My Color? Dividing the Labor of the Stroop Task Between Co-actors

“…For instance, there are a number of studies on the joint Simon task that showed that the joint Simon effect depended on various social factors (e.g., Hommel et al, 2009 ; Ruys and Aarts, 2010 ; Iani et al, 2011 ). It has also been shown in joint task switching that switch cost was reinstated after the co-actor’s trials when two actors shared the same action effect ( Yamaguchi et al, 2017a ). These observations seem to be consistent with the two-mode hypothesis of the joint task performance.…”

“…Previous findings support this position, showing that the actors in the joint Simon task monitor the proportion of compatible trials for their own part but not for their co-actor’s part ( Yamaguchi et al, 2018 ) and that the actors in a joint task-switching setting do not monitor the task that their co-actor has performed on a preceding trial ( Wenke et al, 2011 ; Yamaguchi et al, 2017b ). Such task monitoring appears to occur under specific conditions ( Dudarev and Hassin, 2016 ; Liefooghe, 2016 ; Yamaguchi et al, 2017a ). Therefore, the actors may only represent limited aspects of the co-actor’s part of the task, and they divide the labor of the joint task, eliminating an additional burden monitoring their co-actor’s part of the task.…”

Is young children’s helping affected by helpees’ need? Preschoolers, but not infants selectively help needy others

“…Recent research has experienced increased interest in the psychological basis of social coordination and joint action (e.g., Knutsen & LeBigot, 2018;Müller et al, 2011;Sebanz, Bekkering, & Knoblich, 2006;Yamaguchi, Wall, & Hommel, 2017, 2018. This interest was sparked by theoretical considerations that the ability to act jointly with others is fundamental for human social life (e.g., Bratman, 1992;Gilbert, 2009) and lies at the basis of human cultural evolution (Habermas, 1985;Richerson & Boyd, 2005).…”