Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Switching of BJT01:22

Switching of BJT

601
Switching behavior in Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) is a fundamental aspect utilized in various electronic circuits, particularly for digital logic applications like switches and amplifiers. In a typical switching circuit, a BJT alternates between cut-off and saturation modes, corresponding to the "off" and "on" states, respectively, thus behaving like an ideal switch.
Cut-off Mode ("Off" State): In this state, both the emitter-base and collector-base junctions are...
601
The Availability Heuristic01:08

The Availability Heuristic

6.7K
A heuristic is a general problem-solving framework (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974). You can think of these as mental shortcuts that are used to solve problems. Different types of heuristics are used in different types of situations, and the impulse to use a heuristic occurs when one of five conditions is met (Pratkanis, 1989):
6.7K
High-Level and Low-Level Awareness01:19

High-Level and Low-Level Awareness

499
Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...
499
Reason and Intuition01:37

Reason and Intuition

7.1K
The human brain processes information for decision-making using one of two routes: an intuitive system and a rational system (Epstein, 1994; popularized by Kahneman, 2011 as System 1 and System 2, respectively). The intuitive system is quick, impulsive, and operates with minimal effort, relying on emotions or habits to provide cues for what to do next, while the rational system is logical, analytical, deliberate, and methodical. Research in neuropsychology suggests that the...
7.1K
Timing and Consequences on Behavior01:08

Timing and Consequences on Behavior

226
In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective. 
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
226

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Functional reserve mitigates cognitive-motor dual-task costs in older adults: insights from age, cohort, and behavioural strategies.

European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity·2026
Same author

Challenging the Biomimetic Promise 2.0: Negative Spillover of Bio-Inspired Versus Sustainability Framing on Public Perceptions of Bio-Inspired Technologies.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Continuous Hand-Arm Vibrations Do Not Interfere with Cognitive Processing.

Journal of cognition·2026
Same author

Bindings for Action: Bridging the Gap Between Theories of Procedural Working Memory and Action Control Research.

Journal of cognition·2026
Same author

Testing the convergent validity of the nondecision time parameter of the diffusion model.

Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition·2026
Same author

Adjustments of balance control during cognitive dual tasking: Evidence from event-related force-plate analysis.

Psychological research·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 12, 2025

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking
07:00

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking

Published on: April 30, 2020

2.0K

Time-Based Transition Expectancy in Task Switching: Do We Need to Know the Task to Switch to?

Stefanie Aufschnaiter1, Andrea Kiesel1, Roland Thomaschke1

  • 1Cognition, Action, and Sustainability Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, DE.

Journal of Cognition
|March 22, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Humans can implicitly prepare for task switching based on time cues. This suggests an unspecific preparation mechanism, likely involving inhibition of the previous task, aiding both task repetitions and switches.

Keywords:
Task switchingpreparationtime-based expectancytiming

More Related Videos

Automated, Quantitative Cognitive/Behavioral Screening of Mice: For Genetics, Pharmacology, Animal Cognition and Undergraduate Instruction
16:23

Automated, Quantitative Cognitive/Behavioral Screening of Mice: For Genetics, Pharmacology, Animal Cognition and Undergraduate Instruction

Published on: February 26, 2014

14.6K
Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
06:45

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

Published on: April 18, 2017

6.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 12, 2025

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking
07:00

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking

Published on: April 30, 2020

2.0K
Automated, Quantitative Cognitive/Behavioral Screening of Mice: For Genetics, Pharmacology, Animal Cognition and Undergraduate Instruction
16:23

Automated, Quantitative Cognitive/Behavioral Screening of Mice: For Genetics, Pharmacology, Animal Cognition and Undergraduate Instruction

Published on: February 26, 2014

14.6K
Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
06:45

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

Published on: April 18, 2017

6.4K

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Human Behavior

Background:

  • Humans implicitly adapt to time-transition contingencies in task-switching.
  • Previous studies indicated performance benefits when task transitions were predicted by pre-target intervals.
  • The exact nature of this preparation (specific task vs. unspecific transition) remained unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether time-based expectancy effects in task switching stem from specific task preparation or unspecific transition preparation.
  • To differentiate between preparation for task repetition versus task switching based on temporal cues.

Main Methods:

  • A task-switching paradigm was employed using three different tasks.
  • Two pre-target intervals (500 ms and 1500 ms) were used, each predicting either a task switch (90% probability) or repetition (90% probability).

Main Results:

  • Participants successfully prepared for both upcoming task repetitions and task switches based on predictive pre-target intervals.
  • Evidence suggests that task switching preparation is unspecific, possibly involving inhibition of the immediately preceding task.

Conclusions:

  • Time-based transition expectancy aids preparation for both task switches and repetitions.
  • A two-stage preparation model is proposed, highlighting distinct cognitive processes for switch and repetition preparation.
  • Findings offer insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying human task-switching behavior.