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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Assessing Pupil-linked Changes in Locus Coeruleus-mediated Arousal Elicited by Trigeminal Stimulation

Assessing Pupil-linked Changes in Locus Coeruleus-mediated Arousal Elicited by Trigeminal Stimulation

Published on: November 26, 2019

What happens when we switch tasks: pupil dilation in multitasking.

Ioanna Katidioti¹, Jelmer P Borst¹, Niels A Taatgen¹

¹Department of Artificial Intelligence.

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Applied

|October 28, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Self-interruptions in multitasking take longer due to the decision-making process, as indicated by pupil dilation. Training may improve task switching efficiency, suggesting forced switches could be beneficial.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Human-Computer Interaction
Neuroscience

Background:

Multitasking research often overlooks self-interruptions, despite their prevalence in real-world work.
Understanding the cognitive load of self-initiated task switching is crucial for optimizing work environments.

Purpose of the Study:

To contrast the cognitive processes involved in self-interruptions versus external interruptions.
To investigate the temporal dynamics and costs associated with the decision to self-interrupt during multitasking.

Main Methods:

Three multitasking experiments were conducted, measuring pupil size changes during task switching.
Participants engaged in primary and secondary tasks, with conditions involving self-initiated and externally-initiated interruptions.

Main Results:

Increased pupil dilation was observed seconds before self-interruptions, suggesting a significant decision-making period.
Participants were significantly slower in self-interruption blocks compared to external interruption blocks.
The decision to switch tasks incurs a cognitive cost, impacting performance speed.

Conclusions:

The cognitive decision to self-interrupt is time-consuming and costly.
Task switching efficiency may be improved through targeted training interventions.
Implementing forced task switches after subtask completion could enhance overall productivity over user-initiated switches.