Meta-Analysis of Multiple-Task Performances: Cumulating the First two Decades of Research Findings across Studies

Meta-analytic procedures were used to cumulate research findings across studies of multiple-task performances published between 1965 and 1985 (inclusive). Exhaustive literature search yielded 94 reports of studies of multiple-task performances that were sufficiently detailed to be statistically combined using the Hunter-Schmidt-Jackson procedure. These studies yielded a total of 202 statistical values and a total subject N of 3091. Meta-analysis was performed overall (resulting in a significant test statistic) and then as a function of secondary task (13 types), primary task (18 types), and specific secondary-primary task combination. (The secondary tasks were Choice Reaction Time (CRT), Classification, Detection, Memory, Mental Math, Monitoring, Motor Response, Problem Solving, Reaction Time, Shadowing, Speech, Task Battery (Multiple Tasks), and Tracking; the primary tasks were Association, CRT, Classification, Decision Making, Detection, Driving, Flight (Simulation), Memory, Mental Math, Monitoring, Motor Response, Problem Solving, Reading, Shadowing, Sketching, Speech, Tapping, and Tracking.) Ten external variables (Carbon Monoxide, Control-Display Compatibility, Drug Use, Feedback, Intelligence Tests, Neuroticism, Noise, Rating of Job Performance, Sinus Arrhythmia, and Temperature) as correlates of multiple-task performances were also examined. A generally positive relationship between secondary task performance alone and in combination with the primary task was found, along with moderating effects of secondary task type and primary task type. No substantial variation of results within a given combination of secondary and primary task types occurred in most cases, although four external variables (Carbon Monoxide, Feedback, Noise, and Temperature) displayed within-factor variation of results. All results were discussed in terms of integration of the past literature and directions for future research.

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Effects of Information Processing Requirements on Reaction Time of the Eye

Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/107118137802200175 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 287-291 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christine L. Nelson ◽

Robert M. London ◽

Gordon H. Robinson

Keyword(s):

Information Processing ◽

Reaction Time ◽

Motor Response ◽

Task Type ◽

Head Movements ◽

Central Control ◽

Control Task ◽

Target Direction ◽

Response Systems ◽

Subject Differences

This experiment measured eye reaction time as a function of presence or absence of a central control task, type of command, and knowledge of target direction prior to command. It was found that eye reaction time was greater when a subject was involved in a central tracking task than when he was not; it was greater when the command was symbolic than when it was spatial; and it was longer when the target direction was unknown prior to command. These variables also interacted, so that the effect of unknown target direction was greater with a symbolic command. Results of this experiment also showed that subjects sometimes used an initial compensatory pattern of eye-head movements. There were large inter-subject differences, but use of compensation generally increased with complexity of centrally located information which required processing. It thus appears that reaction time of the eye responds to information processing variables in a manner similar to other motor response systems.

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The effects of task type and task requirements on the dissociation of skin conductance responses and secondary task probe reaction time

Psychophysiology ◽

10.1111/j.1469-8986.1996.tb02110.x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 73-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

David A. T. Sidle ◽

Ottmar V. Lipp ◽

Patricia J. Dall

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Skin Conductance ◽

Secondary Task ◽

Task Type ◽

Skin Conductance Responses ◽

Task Requirements ◽

Probe Reaction Time ◽

And Task

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Cost of Dual-Task Performance in Tactile Perception Is Greater for Competing Tasks of the Same Type

Perception ◽

10.1177/0301006620908778 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (5) ◽

pp. 515-538

Author(s):

Dacey Nguyen ◽

James Brown ◽

David Alais

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Secondary Task ◽

Task Type ◽

Primary Task ◽

Left Hand ◽

Dual Task Performance ◽

Tactile Modality ◽

The Right ◽

Secondary Stimulus

This study examines dual-task performance in the tactile modality and tests whether dual-task cost depends on task type. Experiment 1 involved competing tasks of the same type, using a primary localisation task on the left hand and a secondary localisation task on the right hand. In Experiment 2, the primary task on the left hand remained the same, while an intensity discrimination task was used as the secondary task on the right hand. Subjects in both experiments completed three conditions: the primary task alone, a dual-task condition, and the primary task with the secondary stimulus present but no response required. Across both experiments, performance on the primary task was best when it was presented alone, and there was a performance decrement when the secondary stimulus was present but not responded to. Performance on the primary task was further decreased when participants had to respond to the secondary stimulus, and the decrease was larger when the secondary task was localisation rather than discrimination. This result indicates that task type in the tactile modality may modulate the attentional cost of dual-task performance and implies partially shared resources underlie localisation and intensity discrimination.

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Using Cognitive Capacity in Reading Text

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1979.48.2.395 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 395-400 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Bruce K. Britton ◽

Timothy S. Holdredge ◽

Robert D. Westbrook ◽

Cheryl Curry

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Task Performance ◽

Secondary Task ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Primary Task ◽

Cognitive Capacity ◽

Equivalent Condition ◽

Spare Capacity ◽

Reading Task ◽

Reading Text

Use of cognitive capacity in reading was measured with a secondary task. In this technique, reaction times to clicks which occur rarely and unpredictably during a primary task are used to measure the capacity demands of the primary task. As the primary task uses more capacity, less spare capacity is available and secondary task performance declines—reaction time to the clicks slows down. Results for 24 undergraduates showed that reaction times to clicks were slower while subjects were reading than in an otherwise equivalent condition in which they were not reading. This indicates that the reading task uses capacity even though it is very highly practiced.

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The dissociation between skin conductance and secondary task reaction time in a visual discrimination task

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e526132012-245 ◽

1996 ◽

Author(s):

David L. Neumann ◽

V. Lipp Ottmar ◽

David A. T. Siddle

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Skin Conductance ◽

Visual Discrimination ◽

Secondary Task ◽

Discrimination Task ◽

Visual Discrimination Task

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Supplemental Material for A Meta-Analysis and Meta-regression of Serial Reaction Time Task Performance in Parkinson’s Disease

Neuropsychology ◽

10.1037/neu0000121.supp ◽

2014 ◽

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Reaction Time ◽

Task Performance ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Reaction Time Task ◽

Serial Reaction Time Task ◽

Serial Reaction Time ◽

Time Task ◽

Serial Reaction ◽

Meta Regression

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Religion and Religiosity: A Path to War or Peace

Polish Political Science Review ◽

10.2478/ppsr-2018-0013 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 55-69

Author(s):

Ghada Awada

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Literature Review ◽

Research Method ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Behavioral Model ◽

Religious Violence ◽

Religious Texts ◽

Humanistic Approach ◽

Research Findings ◽

Divine Origin

Abstract The study was set to examine the differences between religion and religiosity and to explore how communities can be protected against religious violence. The study also intended to investigate the motives and the effect that religious violence has had throughout history. The study employed the qualitative research method whereby the researcher carried out a meta-analysis synthesis of different research findings to make conclusions and implications that could answer the study questions. Using the literature review they conducted, the researchers carried out data collection. As such, the researcher employed the bottom-up approach to identify the problem and the questions along with the investigation framework of what they decided to explore. The findings of the study revealed that religious backgrounds should be the cornerstone to realize the diff erence between religion and religiosity. Religion is of divine origin whereas religiosity is specifically a humanistic approach and a behavioral model. The religious violence phenomenon is formed by interlocking factors such as the interpretation of religious texts which clearly adopt thoughts and heritage full of violence camouflaged by religion. It is recommended that governments use a strong strategy employing the educational system, summits and dialogs to successfully overcome religious violence. The summits on religion should result in starting a dialog that ensures acceptance of the different religions.

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Caffeine and Cognitive Functions in Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030868 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 868

Author(s):

Jorge Lorenzo Calvo ◽

Xueyin Fei ◽

Raúl Domínguez ◽

Helios Pareja-Galeano

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Reaction Time ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Caffeine Intake ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Research Protocols ◽

The Relationship

Cognitive functions are essential in any form of exercise. Recently, interest has mounted in addressing the relationship between caffeine intake and cognitive performance during sports practice. This review examines this relationship through a structured search of the databases Medline/PubMed and Web of Science for relevant articles published in English from August 1999 to March 2020. The study followed PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were defined according to the PICOS model. The identified records reported on randomized cross-over studies in which caffeine intake (as drinks, capsules, energy bars, or gum) was compared to an identical placebo situation. There were no filters on participants’ training level, gender, or age. For the systematic review, 13 studies examining the impacts of caffeine on objective measures of cognitive performance or self-reported cognitive performance were selected. Five of these studies were also subjected to meta-analysis. After pooling data in the meta-analysis, the significant impacts of caffeine only emerged on attention, accuracy, and speed. The results of the 13 studies, nevertheless, suggest that the intake of a low/moderate dose of caffeine before and/or during exercise can improve self-reported energy, mood, and cognitive functions, such as attention; it may also improve simple reaction time, choice reaction time, memory, or fatigue, however, this may depend on the research protocols.

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