Dual-Task Performance with Simple Tasks

Fischer, Rico; Janczyk, Markus

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-04760-2_1

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 201 publications

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“…In general, the present findings highlight multiple aspects of how cognitive control adapts to environmental contexts which demand a more stable versus flexible mode, by demonstrating adjustments in target enhancement, as well as the strength and timing of distractor suppression, in response to varying levels of distractor relevance. The result that people can bias their processing based on the current demands fits well with studies showing control adjustments in dual-task (e.g., Boag et al, 2019; Fischer et al, 2014; Janczyk, 2016; Miller & Tang, 2020; Palada et al, 2019; Schonard et al, 2020; for recent reviews, see, e.g., Fischer & Janczyk, 2022; Musslick & Cohen, 2021; Schuch et al, 2019) and single-conflict task settings (e.g., Chen et al, 2021; Egner & Hirsch, 2005; Fischer et al, 2008; Janczyk & Leuthold, 2018; Jost et al, 2019; Koob, Mackenzie, et al, 2023; Mittelstädt & Miller, 2018; Stürmer & Leuthold, 2003; Weissman et al, 2014; Zhang et al, 2023; for a review, see, e.g., Bugg, 2017). More precisely, the results revealed within a single study that varying the (relative) relevance of features in a given context affects both the focus on (primary task) target processing and the strength and suppression of activation related to potentially distracting elements in this context.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

The impact of distractor relevance on the strength and timing of cognitive control: Evidence from delta plots and diffusion model analyses.

Mittelstädt

Mackenzie

Koob

et al. 2023

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cogni

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In the present study, we examined how the relevance of potentially distracting information modulates the interplay of target and distractor processing in conflict tasks. Specifically, we manipulated the degree to which distracting information is relevant for performing the overall task by varying the proportion of trials in which a response to the distractor(s) (Experiments 1a and 1b: location in a Simon task; Experiment 2: flankers in an Eriksen flanker task) instead of to the target was required. Across all experiments, the congruency effect on mean RT was larger with the increasing relevance of the distractor(s). Critically, the slopes of the delta plot were more strongly increasing when the distractors were potentially relevant (as opposed to completely irrelevant), suggesting that cognitive control affects the timing of suppressing distractor-based activation. In addition, delta plot and diffusion model analyses revealed that the strength of suppressing distractor processing and the efficiency of target processing were enhanced when the distractors were less relevant. Overall, the present study dissociated multiple and time-dependent adjustments of control processes (i.e., target processing enhancement plus timing and strength of distractor suppression) in environments that encourage either a more stable or more flexible processing mode.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

The impact of distractor relevance on the strength and timing of cognitive control: Evidence from delta plots and diffusion model analyses.

Mittelstädt

Mackenzie

Koob

et al. 2023

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cogni

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“…But what constitutes the functional underpinning of time expectancies in this context? Following the locus of slack logic (for further information on stage logic, see Fischer & Janczyk, 2022; Pashler, 1994), any perceptual effect in Task 2 would be swallowed into the idle time created by Task 1 processing when the SOA is short. Thus, a perceptual locus can be ruled out.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time expectancies in dual tasking: Evidence for proactive resource sharing?

Schaaf¹,

Wirth²,

Kunde³

2023

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Perfor

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The present study explored whether dual-task performance is affected by deviations from the expected time point of a secondary task. In two psychological refractory period experiments, participants responded to two tasks, separated by either a short or long delay. In contrast to traditional dual-tasking studies, however, the identity of Task 1 probabilistically predicted the delay after which Task 2 would occur. Violations of these expectations impaired performance in both Task 2 and Task 1. For Task 2, this effect was more pronounced when Task 2 occurred unexpectedly early, while for Task 1, it was more pronounced when Task 2 occurred unexpectedly late. The results are consistent with the notion that processing resources can be shared, and that even in the absence of Task 2, some resources are withheld from Task 1, based on early available Task 1 features. Public Significance StatementWhen doing two tasks in parallel, performance in at least one task is usually worse than when the two tasks are performed sequentially. Here, we demonstrate that the sole expectation of having to perform things in parallel can likewise lead to multitasking costs. This suggests that limited cognitive resources can be shared between tasks and may already be assigned to a certain task before it actually occurs.

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“…The dual task consisted of a visual discrimination task (Task 1) and an auditory discrimination task (Task 2), which were performed in close succession. In order to increase processing similarities between the two tasks as the basis for crosstalk 38 , a correspondence between the stimuli of both tasks was implemented. Participants responded to the identity of the letter (H or T) in Task 1 and the frequency of a tone (high or low) in Task 2.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modulation of the executive control network by anodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex improves task shielding in dual tasking

Mahesan

Antonenko

Flöel

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Task shielding is an important executive control demand in dual-task performance enabling the segregation of stimulus–response translation processes in each task to minimize between-task interference. Although neuroimaging studies have shown activity in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) during various multitasking performances, the specific role of dlPFC in task shielding, and whether non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) may facilitate task shielding remains unclear. We therefore applied a single-blind, crossover sham-controlled design in which 34 participants performed a dual-task experiment with either anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS, 1 mA, 20 min) or sham tDCS (1 mA, 30 s) over left dlPFC. Task shielding was assessed by the backward-crosstalk effect, indicating the extent of between-task interference in dual tasks. Between-task interference was largest at high temporal overlap between tasks, i.e., at short stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA). Most importantly, in these conditions of highest multitasking demands, atDCS compared to sham stimulation significantly reduced between-task interference in error rates. These findings extend previous neuroimaging evidence and support modulation of successful task shielding through a conventional tDCS setup with anodal electrode over the left dlPFC. Moreover, our results demonstrate that NIBS can improve shielding of the prioritized task processing, especially in conditions of highest vulnerability to between-task interference.

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Dual-Task Performance with Simple Tasks

Cited by 13 publications

References 201 publications

The impact of distractor relevance on the strength and timing of cognitive control: Evidence from delta plots and diffusion model analyses.

The impact of distractor relevance on the strength and timing of cognitive control: Evidence from delta plots and diffusion model analyses.

Time expectancies in dual tasking: Evidence for proactive resource sharing?

Modulation of the executive control network by anodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex improves task shielding in dual tasking

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