The time course of task 2 response activation in dual-tasking: Modeling results, interindividual differences, and...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Human Factors
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Dual-tasking involves performing two tasks concurrently or in rapid succession.
• The backward crosstalk effect describes how the second task (Task 2) can interfere with performance on the first task (Task 1).
• Existing explanations often involve the activation of Task 2 response information influencing Task 1 response selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To model Task 2 response activation in the backward crosstalk effect.
• To compare linear, asymptotic, and pulse-like activation functions.
• To investigate the role of individual differences in backward crosstalk.

Main Methods:

• Described and evaluated three diffusion models for Task 2 response activation.
• Utilized formal model comparisons to assess model accuracy.
• Performed parameter recovery analyses to validate model fitting.

Main Results:

• Linear Task 2 response activation was found to be the most accurate model for the majority of individuals.
• A pulse-like Task 2 response activation function provided a better fit for a subset of participants.
• Evidence suggests that individual differences significantly influence the nature of Task 2 response activation.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a framework for understanding the temporal dynamics of response activation in dual-tasking.
• Linear activation is a robust model for backward crosstalk, but individual variability necessitates considering alternative functions.
• Recommendations are offered for researchers studying the backward crosstalk effect in dual-task paradigms.