Time-Based Transition Expectancy in Task Switching: Do We Need to Know the Task to Switch to?

Abstract

Recent research has shown that humans are able to implicitly adapt to time-transition contingencies in a task-switching paradigm, indicated by better performance in trials where the task transition (switch vs. repetition) is validly predicted by the pre-target interval compared to trials with invalidly predicted transitions. As participants switched between only two different tasks, not only the transition, but also the specific task was predictable; at least indirectly when taking into account the temporally predicted transition in the current trial together with the task in the previous trial. In order to investigate if the time-based expectancy effect for transition in previous studies was due to a specific task preparation or due to an unspecific transition preparation, three different tasks were used in the present study. One of two possible pre-target intervals (500 and 1500 ms) predicted a task switch in the upcoming trial with 90 % probability, whereas the other interval predicted a task repetition with 90 % probability. Results revealed that participants were able to prepare both upcoming repetition as well as switch requirements based on predictive pre-target intervals. This means that humans seem to be able to prepare a task switch in a rather unspecific manner, most likely by inhibiting the task just performed in the previous trial. By suggesting a two-stage preparation model in which switches as well as repetitions benefit both from timebased transition expectancy, although apparently with different cognitive processes being involved, the present study provides important impulses for future research on the cognitive processes underlying human task-switching behavior.

Time-based task expectancy: perceptual task indicator expectancy or expectancy of post-perceptual task components?

“…Since cognitive processes involved in task switch and task repetition trials differ (see Introduction), an expectancy for switch-related processes should have influenced task switching and task repetition differently. In line with most previous time-based expectancy studies which apply task switching scenarios (Aufschnaiter et al, 2018a, 2018b2020;2021), such an effect could not be detected in our study. However, this interpretation conflicts with a study by Wendt and Kiesel (2012), which demonstrated a benefit from time-based expectancy for conflict adaptation.…”

“…task repetition compared to task switches). Such an interaction was only observed in Experiment 1 in the study of Aufschnaiter et al (2018b), whereas in most experiments task transition did not interact with time-based expectancy (see Aufschnaiter et al, 2018a, 2018b2020;2021). We still included the factor transition as well the additional factor foreperiod for each of the analyses in order to elaborate potential interactions.…”

Investigating time-based expectancy beyond binary timing scenarios: evidence from a paradigm employing three predictive pre-target intervals

“…Time expectancy is usually investigated by employing the variable foreperiod (FP) paradigm, in which the time span, called the FP, between the onset of the warning signal and the presentation of the target stimulus differs between trials within one experimental block (Los et al, 2001 ; Schröter et al, 2015 ; Steinborn et al, 2009 ). As time expectancy and time-based expectancy usually do not interact, time expectancy will not be further discussed in the present study (see Aufschnaiter et al, 2018a ; Aufschnaiter et al, 2021 ; Kunchulia & Thomaschke, 2016 ).…”

“…Footnote 1 (continued) (see Aufschnaiter et al, 2018a;Aufschnaiter et al, 2021;Kunchulia & Thomaschke, 2016). 2 For the sake of consistency, we will use the term "foreperiod" instead of "time interval" from here on throughout the text.…”

The State-of-the-art of Research into Human Multitasking: An Editorial

“…They argue that the complexity of the visual background leads to an attenuation of n-2 task repetition costs. Aufschnaiter et al (2021) demonstrate that task switches and repetitions can be prepared if they become predictable by the duration of pre-target intervals. The authors propose a two-stage preparation model according to which task switches and repetitions are prepared in an unspecific manner, such as by previous task set inhibition, based on expectancies derived from the duration of intertask transitions.…”