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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Revised and Neuroimaging-Compatible Versions of the Dual Task Screen

Revised and Neuroimaging-Compatible Versions of the Dual Task Screen

Published on: October 5, 2020

Serial or parallel processing in dual tasks: what is more effortful?

Carola Lehle¹, Marco Steinhauser, Ronald Hübner

¹Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany. carola.lehle@uni-konstanz.de

Psychophysiology

|June 5, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

People prefer parallel processing for dual tasks, even with performance costs, because it requires less mental effort than serial processing. This strategy balances performance and effort, a key factor in dual-tasking research.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience
Human Factors

Background:

Dual-task performance is often achieved through serial or parallel processing strategies.
Previous research indicates a preference for parallel processing, despite potential performance decrements.
The underlying reasons for this preference, particularly concerning mental effort, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To test the hypothesis that parallel processing is preferred in dual tasks due to lower mental effort demands compared to serial processing.
To investigate the relationship between dual-task strategy (serial vs. parallel) and subjective and physiological measures of mental effort.

Main Methods:

A within-subjects design was employed with 28 healthy participants.
Participants performed dual tasks under induced serial or parallel processing conditions.
Mental effort was assessed using subjective ratings, heart rate (HR), and electrodermal activity (EDA).

Main Results:

Parallel processing resulted in performance costs compared to serial processing.
Serial processing was rated as more mentally effortful by participants.
Physiological measures, including tonic HR and phasic HR deceleration, were elevated during serial processing.

Conclusions:

The preference for parallel processing in dual tasks appears to be a trade-off between optimizing performance and minimizing mental effort.
This mental effort consideration is a crucial, yet often overlooked, factor in current dual-task models.
Findings suggest that individuals prioritize reduced cognitive load when choosing between dual-task strategies.