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Preparing a task is sufficient to generate a subsequent task-switch cost affecting task performance
Rachel Swainson1, Laura Joy Prosser1, Motonori Yamaguchi2
1School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen.
Summary
Task preparation and performance both impact cognitive task-switching costs. Preparing a task without performing it incurs switch costs, with actual performance further increasing these costs in subsequent tasks.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Task-switch costs are observed even after preparing a task without performing it.
- The precise contribution of task preparation versus performance to switch costs remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate the effects of task preparation and task performance on subsequent switch costs.
- To investigate whether switch costs reflect impacts on preparation or performance.
Main Methods:
- Employed a double-registration procedure involving cue-only and completed trials.
- Participants responded to both task-cue and target stimuli.
Main Results:
- Cue-switch costs appeared after both trial types for cue responses.
- Task-switch costs appeared for target responses after both trial types.
- Task-switch costs were larger following completed trials than cue-only trials.
Conclusions:
- Task preparation alone influences subsequent task performance.
- Task performance adds to the switch cost beyond preparation.
- Both preparation and performance contribute to observed task-switch costs.
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