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Task constraint, task switching studied

Date:
August 11, 2014
Source:
Kessler Foundation
Summary:
Scientists have published cognitive research showing the negative effects that unexpected task constraint, following self-generated task choice, has on task-switching performance. "We encounter unexpected task constraint in our daily lives. For example, when we are diverted from our planned route by a detour; or when the film we planned to see is sold out. Our results show that the preparation that an individual undertakes in order to perform a task is difficult to undo," explained one researcher.
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Kessler Foundation scientists have published results of cognitive research that show the negative effects that unexpected task constraint, following self-generated task choice, has on task-switching performance. The article, "You can't always get what you want: The influence of unexpected task constraint on voluntary task switching," was published online on June 11 by The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. The authors are Starla Weaver, PhD, and Glenn Wylie, DPhil, of Kessler Foundation, John J. Foxe, PhD, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Yeshiva University, and Marina Shpaner, PhD, of the University of Vermont. The study was funded by Kessler Foundation.

The 12 healthy adults who participated in the study, performed a voluntary task-switching procedure in which they specified the task they wanted to perform, were presented with a cue that confirmed the choice, and then performed the cued task. For some trials, participants received cues to perform a task that did not match their choice. In those instances, responses were most striking when participants unexpectedly had to repeat the previous task. The performance of the unexpected task was markedly impaired.

"We encounter unexpected task constraint in our daily lives," noted Dr. Weaver. "For example, when we are diverted from our planned route by a detour; or when the film we planned to see is sold out. Our results show that the preparation that an individual undertakes in order to perform a task is difficult to undo," said Dr. Weaver, associate research scientist at Kessler Foundation. "Unexpected task constraint following self-generated task choice has a negative effect on task performance. This suggests that one mechanism used to guide behavior during multitasking is the implementation of swift and durable task-preparation processes (which are difficult to undo). Uncovering the mechanisms that enable multitasking is the first step toward improving the abilities of patients, such as persons with traumatic brain injury, who often display deficits in multitasking ability."


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Materials provided by Kessler Foundation. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Starla M. Weaver, John J. Foxe, Marina Shpaner, Glenn R. Wylie. You can't always get what you want: The influence of unexpected task constraint on voluntary task switching. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 2014; 1 DOI: 10.1080/17470218.2014.917115

Cite This Page:

Kessler Foundation. "Task constraint, task switching studied." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 August 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140811125042.htm>.
Kessler Foundation. (2014, August 11). Task constraint, task switching studied. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 30, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140811125042.htm
Kessler Foundation. "Task constraint, task switching studied." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140811125042.htm (accessed October 30, 2024).

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