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Ways to Improve Multitasking: Effects of Predictability after Single- and Dual-Task Training.

Harald Ewolds¹, Laura Broeker², Rita F de Oliveira³

¹University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.

Journal of Cognition

|January 28, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Predictability improves performance in specific tasks but does not enhance dual-task performance. This task-specific effect suggests that freed-up resources from predictable tasks cannot be re-invested into other tasks.

Keywords:

Action and perception Auditory processing Implicit learning Visual perception

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Human Performance

Background:

Dual-task performance is crucial for everyday activities.
Predictability in tasks can influence cognitive load and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of predictability on dual-task performance.
To determine if predictability in one task can benefit performance in a concurrent, unrelated task.

Main Methods:

Two experiments were conducted involving a tracking task and an auditory reaction time task.
Participants practiced tasks with predictable elements, with varying levels of explicit knowledge.
Single- and dual-task performance was assessed after training and in a retention test.

Main Results:

Predictability enhanced performance solely within the predictable tasks.
Dual-task costs were eliminated for the predictable tracking task.
Simultaneous training of predictable tasks did not lead to resource reallocation benefits for the other task.

Conclusions:

Predictability exerts a positive but task-specific influence on performance.
Cognitive resources freed by predictability in one task are not transferable to improve performance in another task.