Adjustments of task-set control processes: Effect of task switch frequency on task-mixing and task-switching costs

作者：Bonnin Camille A; Gaonac'h Daniel; Bouquet Cedric A^*

来源：Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 2011, 23(8): 985-997.

DOI：10.1080/20445911.2011.594435

• Control
• Flexibility
• Mixing cost
• Stability
• Switch cost

The present study tested the hypothesis that task-switch frequency triggers adjustments of task-set control processes. A mixed-task condition where task switches are frequent should promote flexibility-thus improving task-switch performance-whereas a condition where task repetitions are more expected should favour stability-thus improving task-repeat performance. In two experiments, participants performed single-task and mixed-task blocks. In mixed-task blocks, tasks varied randomly on a trial-by-trial basis. For half of the mixed-task blocks, the frequency with which the task changed was 25%, for the other half, it was 50%. Overall, depending on the task-switch frequency, performance on both task-repeat and task-switch trials was modified. Switch cost was reduced and task-repeat performance was altered by the increase in switch probability. This study demonstrates context-sensitive adjustments of task-set control processes. These results further support the view that mixing cost reflects sustained and endogenous components of cognitive control.

• 出版日期2011