NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1420475
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0278-7393
EISSN: EISSN-1939-1285
Transfer of Task-Probability-Induced Biases in Parallel Dual-Task Processing Occurs in Similar, but Is Constraint in Distinct Task Sets
Inga Lück; Victor Mittelstädt; Ian G. Mackenzie; Rico Fischer
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, v50 n5 p775-795 2024
Although humans often multitask, little is known about how the processing of concurrent tasks is managed. The present study investigated whether adjustments in parallel processing during multitasking are local (task-specific) or global (task-unspecific). In three experiments, participants performed one of three tasks: a primary task or, if this task did not require a response, one of two background tasks (i.e., prioritized processing paradigm). To manipulate the degree of parallel processing, we presented blocks consisting mainly of primary or background task trials. In Experiment 1, the frequency manipulation was distributed equally across the two background tasks. In Experiments 2 and 3, only one background task was frequency-biased (inducer task). The other background task was presented equally often in all blocks (diagnostic task) and served to test whether processing adjustments transferred. In all experiments, blocks with frequent background tasks yielded stronger interference between primary and background tasks (primary task performance) and improved background task performance. Thus, resource sharing appeared to increase with high background task probabilities even under triple task requirements. Importantly, these adjustments generalized across the background tasks when they were conceptually and visually similar (Experiment 2). Implementing more distinct background tasks limited the transfer: Adjustments were restricted to the inducer task in background task performance and only small transfer was observed in primary task performance (Experiment 3). Overall, the results indicate that the transfer of adjustments in parallel processing is unrestricted for similar, but limited for distinct tasks, suggesting that task similarity affects the generality of resource allocation in multitasking.
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: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A