The task rule congruency effect in task switching reflects activated long-term memory.

Meiran, Nachshon; Kessler, Yoav · 2008 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1037/0096-1523.34.1.137

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study investigates the cognitive mechanisms underlying the reaction time task rule congruency effect (RT-TRCE) in task-switching paradigms. The RT-TRCE refers to faster responses when competing task rules dictate the same response (congruent trials) compared to when they dictate different responses (incongruent trials). While the effect is robust and linked to prefrontal functioning, its origin remains debated. The authors hypothesize that the RT-TRCE reflects activated long-term memory (LTM) representations—specifically, overlearned abstract response category codes (e.g., "up" or "left")—rather than limited-capacity working memory processes. This hypothesis predicts that the effect should disappear if tasks prevent the use of such established codes and reappear after practice establishes them. To test this, the researchers conducted experiments using a spatial task-switching paradigm. In the control condition, participants performed familiar tasks (up–down vs. right–left judgments) using standard key arrangements, allowing the use of overlearned spatial codes. In the experimental condition, the display and response keys were rotated by 45 degrees, rendering standard spatial codes ineffective and forcing participants to form novel response categories. The study compared performance between these groups and included practice manipulations to establish LTM representations for the novel tasks. Participants completed mixed-task blocks with varying cue-target intervals, with a high proportion of incongruent trials to ensure accurate rule application. The results supported the activated LTM hypothesis. In the control condition, a significant RT-TRCE of 84 ms was observed, consistent with previous literature. However, in the rotated experimental condition, the RT-TRCE was absent (0 ms), indicating that without accessible overlearned response codes, the congruency effect does not emerge. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that practice effects restored the RT-TRCE only when tasks permitted the formation of abstract response category codes. The increase in RT-TRCE with response slowness in familiar tasks suggested that these mediator codes may be verbal or linguistic in nature. These findings imply that the RT-TRCE is driven by the activation of long-term memory structures rather than the maintenance of task rules in limited-capacity working memory. This distinction resolves challenges posed to theories assuming all-or-none task selection in working memory, as activated LTM is not severely capacity-limited. The study clarifies that task-switching interference arises from the parallel activation of irrelevant but accessible LTM codes, providing insight into the specific functions of the prefrontal cortex and the interplay between working memory and long-term memory in executive control.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• task switching