Voluntary task switching is affected by modality compatibility and preparation

Friedgen, Erik; Koch, Iring; Poljac, Edita; Liefooghe, Baptist; Stephan, Denise Nadine · 2024 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3758/s13421-024-01536-5

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Summary

This study investigates how modality compatibility and preparation time influence voluntary task switching (VTS), addressing the extent to which participants bias their task choices toward modality-compatible mappings (e.g., visual-manual or auditory-vocal) versus incompatible ones. Building on prior research by Fintor et al. (2020) that used spatial stimuli, the authors aimed to establish the generality of these findings using verbal stimuli and more complex tasks with increased stimulus-response alternatives. The research also examined whether providing more time for proactive cognitive control could mitigate these biases. The study comprised two experiments. In Experiment 1, 32 participants performed a VTS task using verbal number words presented visually or auditorily, responding manually or vocally. Participants were instructed to choose response modalities freely. Experiment 2 manipulated the response-stimulus interval (RSI), comparing short (400 ms) and long (1,200 ms) intervals to assess the impact of preparation time on choice biases. Experiment 1 replicated the finding that participants preferentially created modality-compatible mappings (52.5%) over incompatible ones (47.5%). Additionally, participants exhibited significant biases to repeat the previous response modality and to repeat entire stimulus-response modality mappings. Response time analysis revealed an inverted switch cost pattern: while incompatible trials were generally slower, the switch cost was larger for compatible mappings due to a specific performance benefit on compatible repetition trials. Experiment 2 found that increasing the RSI reduced the response-modality repetition bias and the mapping repetition bias, indicating that longer preparation times allow for greater cognitive control over these perseverative tendencies. However, the modality-compatibility bias remained unaffected by the RSI manipulation. These findings suggest that modality-specific priming strongly influences voluntary task choice, with participants naturally gravitating toward compatible mappings regardless of available preparation time. While proactive cognitive control can reduce general repetition biases, it does not eliminate the preference for modality-compatible mappings. This implies that the bias toward compatible mappings may stem from robust bottom-up processes or inherent efficiency advantages in compatible processing, rather than merely a lack of time for top-down control. The results highlight the persistent influence of sensory-motor compatibility on decision-making in multitasking contexts.

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• task switching