When people attempt to perform two simple sensorimotor tasks close together in time, performance deteriorates. Detailed chronometric analysis of this dual-task inerference can provide powerful empirical constraints on theodes of the mechanisms that carry out perceptual, cognitive and response processes. in previous work, the Pi has found converging evidence for a theory of dual-task interference that postulates two distinct components. When complex visual stimuli are presented at the same time, perceptual processing proceeds simultaneously, with impairments in accuracy dependent upon complexity. When response selection is required on one task, however, response selection on another task must wait: this processing stage is subject to discrete queueing. The work proposed here will address four questions, to test, elaborate and extend this theory. First, perceptual interference will be examined in auditory discrmination tasks (combined with other auditory or visual tasks), to determine whether perceptual interference reflects separate pools of resources tied to particular sensory modalities. Second, several different methods will be employed to determine whether post-perceptual processes other than response selection are subject to discrete queueing; this work will focus on semantic categorization and shifts of visual attention. Third, the possibility of independent control of different response modalities will be examined, focussing on the case of oculomotor control (saccadic and smooth pursuit eye movements). Pilot data suggests a surprising degree of independence in certain oculomotor tasks. Finally, we will investigate how extensive practice reduces dual-task interference. Previous work has suggested that well-practiced tasks may become completely """"""""automatized"""""""", but the evidence is open to various interpretations; chronometric methods will be used to determine exactly which components of interference are affected by practice, and how they are affected.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29MH045584-03
Application #
3475337
Study Section
Cognition, Emotion, and Personality Research Review Committee (CEP)
Project Start
1989-09-01
Project End
1994-08-31
Budget Start
1991-09-01
Budget End
1992-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
077758407
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
Ruthruff, E; Pashler, H E; Klaassen, A (2001) Processing bottlenecks in dual-task performance: structural limitation or strategic postponement? Psychon Bull Rev 8:73-80
Awh, E; Pashler, H (2000) Evidence for split attentional foci. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 26:834-46
Bichot, N P; Cave, K R; Pashler, H (1999) Visual selection mediated by location: feature-based selection of noncontiguous locations. Percept Psychophys 61:403-23
Cave, K R; Pashler, H (1995) Visual selection mediated by location: selecting successive visual objects. Percept Psychophys 57:421-32
Levy, J; Pashler, H (1995) Does perceptual analysis continue during selection and production of a speeded response? Acta Psychol (Amst) 90:245-60
Pashler, H (1994) Graded capacity-sharing in dual-task interference? J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 20:330-42
Pashler, H (1994) Overlapping mental operations in serial performance with preview. Q J Exp Psychol A 47:161-91;discussion 193-9, 201-5
Pashler, H (1994) Dual-task interference in simple tasks: data and theory. Psychol Bull 116:220-44
Pashler, H; Luck, S J; Hillyard, S A et al. (1994) Sequential operation of disconnected cerebral hemispheres in split-brain patients. Neuroreport 5:2381-4
Pashler, H; Carrier, M; Hoffman, J (1993) Saccadic eye movements and dual-task interference. Q J Exp Psychol A 46:51-82

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