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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

Published on: July 16, 2015

Dealing with task interruptions in complex dynamic environments: are two heads better than one?

Sébastien Tremblay¹, François Vachon, Daniel Lafond

¹Ecole de psychologie, Université Laval, Pavillon Félix-Antoine-Savard, 2325, rue des Bibliothèques, Québec, Québec, Canada, G1V 0A6. sebastien.tremblay@psy.ulaval.ca

|March 14, 2012

Summary

Working in a team can reduce the negative impact of task interruptions in complex situations. However, simultaneous interruptions benefit teams most, while single interruptions increase communication and slow down task resumption.

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Last Updated: May 24, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

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Published on: July 16, 2015

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

Published on: April 18, 2017

Area of Science:

Human-Computer Interaction
Cognitive Psychology
Team Performance

Background:

Task interruptions are common in multitasking environments and negatively affect individual performance.
Interruptions pose significant challenges in dynamic, safety-critical command and control (C2) contexts due to evolving situations.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if teamwork mitigates individual vulnerability to task interruptions in complex dynamic situations.
To compare the impact of interruptions on individuals working alone versus those in a dyad.

Main Methods:

A firefighting microworld simulation was used to model command and control (C2) scenarios.
Participants worked individually or in functional dyads to assess the impact of task interruptions.

Main Results:

Task interruptions impaired resource monitoring, but this effect was lessened in teams.
Teams showed faster resumption times when both members were interrupted simultaneously.
Interrupting only one team member led to increased communication and slower resumption.

Conclusions:

Teamwork enhances resistance to task interruptions in complex dynamic settings by reducing individual workload.
The benefits of teamwork are moderated by coordination and communication demands.
Findings have practical implications for improving operator performance in C2 environments facing unexpected events.