The Microstructure of Dual-Task Interaction. 1. The Patterning of Main-Task Responses within Secondary-Task Intervals

Perception ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Secondary Task ◽  
Main Task ◽  
Task Instructions ◽  
Random Occurrence ◽  
Attention Process ◽  
Serial Task ◽  
Response Task ◽  
The Way

The patterning or microstructure of a situation where subjects were presented with two sets of information from two independent ‘high decision’ information processing tasks, was investigated. Thirty-two subjects worked at the five-choice serial-response task (designated by instructions to be the main task), whilst being presented with a transformation task which required that seven had to be added to a presented auditory digit (designated by instructions to be the secondary task). Results suggested that subjects were not able to process two streams of information in parallel, and that the way in which the attention process was ordered was partly a function of task instructions and partly a function of the random occurrence of each digit in relation to the on-going serial task. Results also gave support to the view that the locus of disruption was the production of the response to the secondary task. Explanations of this effect are considered.

The Microstructure of Dual Task Interaction. 2. The Effect of Task Instructions on Attentional Allocation and a Model of Attention-Switching

Perception ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Secondary Task ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Time Base ◽  
Main Task ◽  
Time Sharing ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Task Instructions ◽  
Criterion Setting

As an extension of an experimental design reported previously the microstructure of dual task interaction was investigated in a condition in which task instructions favoured the task which had previously been designated the secondary task. In the situation explored in this paper subjects worked on the five-choice serial reaction task (designated secondary task) whilst at the same time they received single auditory digits at random time intervals, performed a transform operation (adding seven), and called the answer out into a voice key. The nature of the interaction was investigated using fine analysis of data, and it is argued that the results give further support to the view that subjects were processing information sequentially. A change in the patterning of serial responses in the interval defined by the digit stimulus ( Ds) and the digit response ( Dr) under the changed-instructions condition suggested that individuals are able to play an active role in the ordering of the attention process in sequential processing situations. ‘Process theory’, in which the information processing state of the main task is considered to have a direct influence on the response to the secondary task signal, is argued to be of little use in explaining the data. Two types of explanations based on criterion theory are considered—one which involves criterion setting with respect to a direct time base and one which relies on information processing stage, as an indirect time base. It is argued that the microstructure of dual task interaction should be investigated more closely and that the ordering of the time-sharing process is a skill.

The Microstructure of Dual-Task Interaction. 4. Sleep Deprivation and the Control of Attention

Perception ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Secondary Task ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Main Task ◽  
Surprising Result ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Response Task ◽  
Priority Structure

The experiment was designed to investigate attention-switching behaviour in sleep-deprived subjects and involved the same dual-task paradigm reported in earlier studies. The task specified by instructions to be the main task, was the five-choice serial-response task; the secondary task was an auditory-verbal digit task which occurred at random time intervals. Analysis of the intervals in which the two tasks concurred gave a different result. Sleep-deprived subjects seemed less able to control the fine structure of the interval and tended to persist in producing serial responses at the expense of the secondary-task response. The evidence supported the view that both sleep-deprived and control subjects were not able to process information in parallel and, thus, the difference in interval patterning was due to the difference in attention-switching processes. The possibility that sleep deprivation might result in loss of attentional control is considered briefly. A surprising result was that, in terms of overall response rates, the sleep-deprived group, although slower, preserved the dual-task priority structure better than the control group, who slowed on both tasks in the combined condition. The control result was different in this respect from control data from previous research, but it is important that within the sleep-deprived group there was evidence that ability to preserve the priority structure was unaffected.

The ‘Distraction Effect’ and Information Processing Complexity

Perception ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Processing Load ◽  
Distraction Effect ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Serial Task ◽  
Response Task ◽  
Additional Explanation

It was found earlier that a transient ‘distraction effect’ was apparent when 80 dB noise bursts occurred at random during an on-going serial-response task. Experiments are now reported in which the information processing ‘load’ of the on-going serial task was varied (a) by the introduction of increased stimulus predictability, or (b) by the introduction of stimulus–response incompatibility. On the notion that the information processing system acts as a single channel, with increased stimulus predictability there should be a reduced distraction effect, because there would be more capacity available for responding to noise bursts whilst maintaining serial task performance; the reverse should be true for the case of increased stimulus–response incompatibility. Results suggested that the ‘distraction effect’ was reduced in both cases. An additional explanation suggesting that the information processing load of the task itself determined whether or not the noise bursts were providing effective rivalry with the task signals is considered.

The Microstructure of Dual Task Interaction. 3. Incompatibility and Attention Switching

Perception ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Verbal Response ◽  
Main Task ◽  
Processing Strategy ◽  
Time Sharing ◽  
Processing Load ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Task Load ◽  
Sequential Processing ◽  
Response Task

This report is the third in a series of reports concerned with close analysis of a dual task situation in which a five-choice serial task is combined with an auditory—verbal response task. A situation is described in which ‘incompatibility’ is incorporated into the five-choice task in order to increase the information processing load and thus explore the effect on the mechanism believed to control the microstructure of the time-sharing process. Results supported the notion that subjects were continuing to operate a sequential processing strategy in combining the two tasks. The structure of the interval generated by the occurrence of the auditory-verbal task was different in comparison with the compatible five-choice condition reported earlier, suggesting that the introduction of incompatibility causes a change in the characteristics of the time-sharing process. The structure of the interval remained organised and consistent, suggesting that the mechanism which controlled the time-sharing process was not disrupted by increased main task load and therefore was likely to involve a process which did not compete for attention space with task variables. Results also revealed an effect of the digit task response on the following two serial responses. It was suggested that these were probably best described as two independent effects: one arising from the sequential processing strategy adopted, and the other arising perhaps as a function of perception of overall task difficulty.

scholarly journals Competing for cognitive resources: Measuring workload in a time pressured dual-task environment.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Palada ◽  
Andrew Neal ◽  
David Strayer ◽  
Timothy Ballard ◽  
Andrew Heathcote
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Primary Task ◽  
Task Environment ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Task Load ◽  
Response Task

The Detection Response Task (DRT) is an international standard for assessing workload that has minimal effects on primary task performance, making it an attractive option for workload measurement in many settings. An increase in DRT response times and a decrease hit rates as primary task load increases is thought to occur due to competing resources being reallocated to the primary task. However, alternative processes could account for these effects, including changes in response caution, response bias and non-decision processes. We examine how people respond to changes in task demands in a dual-task environment and aim to identify what it is that the DRT is measuring. We model a primary classification task and the DRT in a time pressured environment using the linear ballistic accumulator (Brown & Heathcote, 2008) and a single-bound diffusion (Wald) model (Heathcote, 2004). Under greater time pressure, the rate of information processing increased on the primary task while response caution decreased. In contrast, the rate of information processing in the DRT declined with greater time pressure. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the DRT’s sensitivity to workload is due to the reallocation in resources as demands increase on the primary task.

scholarly journals Competing for cognitive resources: Measuring workload in a time pressured dual-task environment.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Palada ◽  
Andrew Neal ◽  
David Strayer ◽  
Timothy Ballard ◽  
Andrew Heathcote
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Primary Task ◽  
Task Environment ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Task Load ◽  
Response Task

The Detection Response Task (DRT) is an international standard for assessing workload that has minimal effects on primary task performance, making it an attractive option for workload measurement in many settings. An increase in DRT response times and a decrease hit rates as primary task load increases is thought to occur due to competing resources being reallocated to the primary task. However, alternative processes could account for these effects, including changes in response caution, response bias and non-decision processes. We examine how people respond to changes in task demands in a dual-task environment and aim to identify what it is that the DRT is measuring. We model a primary classification task and the DRT in a time pressured environment using the linear ballistic accumulator (Brown & Heathcote, 2008) and a single-bound diffusion (Wald) model (Heathcote, 2004). Under greater time pressure, the rate of information processing increased on the primary task while response caution decreased. In contrast, the rate of information processing in the DRT declined with greater time pressure. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the DRT’s sensitivity to workload is due to the reallocation in resources as demands increase on the primary task.

The Type of Temperament, Mood, and Strategies of Categorization

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Wytykowska
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Processing Capacity ◽  
Affective Value ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Way

In Strelau’s theory of temperament (RTT), there are four types of temperament, differentiated according to low vs. high stimulation processing capacity and to the level of their internal harmonization. The type of temperament is considered harmonized when the constellation of all temperamental traits is internally matched to the need for stimulation, which is related to effectiveness of stimulation processing. In nonharmonized temperamental structure, an internal mismatch is observed which is linked to ineffectiveness of stimulation processing. The three studies presented here investigated the relationship between temperamental structures and the strategies of categorization. Results revealed that subjects with harmonized structures efficiently control the level of stimulation stemming from the cognitive activity, independent of the affective value of situation. The pattern of results attained for subjects with nonharmonized structures was more ambiguous: They were as good as subjects with harmonized structures at adjusting the way of information processing to their stimulation processing capacities, but they also proved to be more responsive to the affective character of stimulation (positive or negative mood).

Market Reforms in Russia: Can the Vicious Circle Be Teared Open?

2004 ◽  
pp. 114-128
Author(s):  
V. Nimushin
Keyword(s):  
Economic Policy ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Vicious Circle ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Market Reforms ◽  
Main Task ◽  
Forward Movement ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
The Way

In the framework of broad philosophic and historical context the author conducts comparative analysis of the conditions for assimilating liberal values in leading countries of the modern world and in Russia. He defends the idea of inevitable forward movement of Russia on the way of rationalization and cultivation of all aspects of life, but, to his opinion, it will occur not so fast as the "first wave" reformers thought and in other ideological and sociocultural forms than in Europe and America. The author sees the main task of the reformist forces in Russia in consolidation of the society and inplementation of socially responsible economic policy.

The Effects of Practice on Navigation Performance and Mental Workload with a Mirror-In-The-Sky Map

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1546-1550
Author(s):  
Holland M. Vasquez ◽  
Justin G. Hollands ◽  
Greg A. Jamieson
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Secondary Task ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Task Completion ◽  
Practice Performance ◽  
Global Ratings ◽  
Detection Response ◽  
Nasa Tlx ◽  
Response Task ◽  
Completion Times

Some previous research using a new augmented reality map display called Mirror-in-the-Sky (MitS) showed that performance was worse and mental workload (MWL) greater with MitS relative to a track-up map for navigation and wayfinding tasks. The purpose of the current study was to determine—for both MitS and track-up map—how much performance improves and MWL decreases with practice in a simple navigation task. We conducted a three-session experiment in which twenty participants completed a route following task in a virtual environment. Task completion times and collisions decreased, subjective MWL decreased, and secondary task performance improved with practice. The NASA-TLX Global ratings and Detection Response Task Hit Rates showed a larger decrease in MWL with MitS than the track-up map. Additionally, means for performance and workload measures showed that differences between the MitS and track-up map decreased in the first session. In later sessions the differences between the MitS and track-up map were negligible. As such, with practice performance and MWL may be comparable to a traditional track-up map.

Does Secondary Task Measure Outcome Conflict or Resource Allocation?

1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (18) ◽  
pp. 1398-1402
Author(s):  
Pamela S. Tsang ◽  
Tonya L. Shaner
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Secondary Task ◽  
Tracking Error ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Primary Task ◽  
Memory Probe ◽  
Temporal Predictability ◽  
Task Measure

The secondary task technique was used to test two alternative explanations of dual task decrement: outcome conflict and resource allocation. Subjects time-shared a continuous tracking task and a discrete Sternberg memory task. The memory probes were presented under three temporal predictability conditions. Dual task performance decrements in both the tracking and memory tasks suggested that the two tasks competed for some common resources, processes, or mechanisms. Although performance decrements were consistent with both the outcome conflict and resource allocation explanations, the two explanations propose different mechanisms by which the primary task could be protected from interference from the concurrent secondary task. The primary task performance could be protected by resource allocation or by strategic sequencing of the processing of the two tasks in order to avoid outcome conflict. In addition to examining the global trial means, moment-by-moment tracking error time-locked to the memory probe was also analyzed. There was little indication that the primary task was protected by resequencing of the processing of the two tasks. This together with the suggestion that predictable memory probes led to better protected primary task performance than less predictable memory probes lend support for the resource explanation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document