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Task switching in a hierarchical task structure: evidence for the fragility of the task repetition benefitThis study examined how task switching is affected by hierarchical task organization. Traditional task-switching studies, which use a constant temporal and spatial distance between each task element (defined as a stimulus requiring a response), promote a flat task structure. Using this approach, Experiment 1 revealed a large switch cost of 238 ms. In Experiments 2-5, adjacent task elements were grouped temporally and/or spatially (forming an ensemble) to create a hierarchical task organization. Results indicate that the effect of switching at the ensemble level dominated the effect of switching at the element level. Experiments 6 and 7, using an ensemble of 3 task elements, revealed that the element-level switch cost was virtually absent between ensembles but was large within an ensemble. The authors conclude that the element-level task repetition benefit is fragile and can be eliminated in a hierarchical task organization.
Document ID
20050153855
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lien, Mei-Ching
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Ruthruff, Eric
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition
Volume: 30
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0278-7393
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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