Evidence for a multicomponent hierarchical representation of dual tasks

Hirsch, Patricia; Roesch, Clara; Koch, Iring · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3758/s13421-020-01097-3

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Summary

This study investigates the cognitive architecture of dual-task performance, specifically addressing whether the identity of two simultaneous tasks is jointly represented in a single mental structure termed a "task-pair set." Previous research identified "task-pair switch costs"—performance declines when switching between different pairs of tasks compared to repeating the same pair—suggesting such a global representation exists. However, prior studies used a one-to-one mapping between cues and task pairs, making it unclear if these costs stemmed from switching the task pairs themselves or merely from switching the perceptual cues. Additionally, the timing of task-pair set activation remained unknown. The authors conducted two experiments to disentangle cue-switching effects from task-pair switching effects and to determine when task-pair sets are activated during processing. In Experiment 1, 24 participants performed a dual-task paradigm involving a tone discrimination task (Task 1) and either a spatial orientation or object identity task (Task 2). The researchers employed a two-to-one cue mapping, using two distinct cues for each task pair. This design allowed for the isolation of "pure" task-pair switch costs by comparing trials where the task pair switched but the cue also switched against trials where the task pair repeated but the cue switched. Results showed significant cue-switch costs, likely reflecting perceptual priming. Crucially, substantial task-pair switch costs persisted even when controlling for cue switching, indicating that switching the task pair itself incurs a performance penalty independent of cue processing. Participants also exhibited typical dual-task interference, with Task 2 performance deteriorating as the temporal overlap between tasks increased. Experiment 2 utilized a go/no-go manipulation to probe the timing of task-pair set activation. Participants prepared for a specific task pair on "no-go" trials but did not execute it. The presence of task-pair switch costs following these no-go trials demonstrated that task-pair sets are activated during the preparation phase, prior to the actual execution of the dual task. This finding rules out the possibility that task-pair sets are formed only as episodic memories after task completion. The findings provide robust evidence for a multicomponent hierarchical representation of dual tasks. The data support a model where a "task-pair set" exists at a higher hierarchical level than the individual task sets for Task 1 and Task 2. This global representation is activated before task execution and requires active reconfiguration when switching between different task pairs. The study clarifies that task-pair switch costs are not artifacts of cue priming but reflect genuine cognitive costs associated with managing the global organization of dual-task performance. These results refine theoretical accounts of dual-task interference by distinguishing between local processing bottlenecks and global control mechanisms.

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Topics

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• task switching
• dual task multitasking
• dual task performance