ERIC Number: EJ1322197
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Oct
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0278-7393
EISSN: N/A
Abstract Sequential Task Control Is Facilitated by Practice and Embedded Motor Sequences
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, v47 n10 p1638-1659 Oct 2021
Everyday task sequences, such as cooking, contain overarching goals (completing the meal), subgoals (prepare vegetables), and motor actions (chopping). Such tasks generally are considered hierarchical because superordinate levels (e.g., goals) affect performance at subordinate levels (e.g., subgoals and motor actions). However, there is debate as to whether this hierarchy is "strict" with unidirectional, top-down influences, and it is unknown if and how practice affects performance at the superordinate levels. To investigate these questions, we manipulated practice with sequences at the goal and motor action levels using an abstract, or nonmotor, task sequence paradigm (Desrochers et al., 2015; Schneider & Logan, 2006). In three experiments, participants performed memorized abstract task sequences composed of simple tasks (e.g., color/shape judgements), where some contained embedded motor response sequences. We found that practice facilitated performance and reduced control costs for abstract task sequences and subordinate tasks. The interrelation was different between the hierarchical levels, demonstrating a strict relationship between abstract task sequence goals and subgoals and a nonstrict relationship between subgoal and motor response levels. Under some conditions, the motor response level influenced the abstract task sequence level in a nonstrict manner. Further, manipulating the presence or absence of a motor sequence after learning indicated that these effects were not the result of an integrated representation produced by practice. These experiments provide evidence for a mixed hierarchical model of task sequences and insight into the distinct roles of practice and motor processing in efficiently executing task sequences in daily life.
Descriptors: Task Analysis, Goal Orientation, Motor Reactions, Memorization, Color, Physical Characteristics, Decision Making, Cooking Instruction, Cognitive Processes, Adults, Reaction Time
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (DHHS/PHS); National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) (DHHS/NIH); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: F32DA045451; P20GM103645; 1632738