The representational locus of spatial influence on backward inhibition

When one is sequentially switching among three tasks, performance is impaired when tasks alternate (ABA) relative to when one is switching between all three tasks (CBA), an effect known as backward inhibition (BI). BI is not observed when component tasks are uniquely located in space, however (Arbuthnott, 2005). In this study, the locations of task precues and target stimuli were manipulated independently to determine whether this elimination of BI is related to distinct cue location or to distinct target location. Results clearly indicated that BI is eliminated with distinct cue localization independent of the location of target stimuli. This indicates that BI, which reflects suppression of task-set representations, can be influenced by cue characteristics that are associated with task representations.