Task Switching

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Task Switching

Basic Characteristics

  • Description

Task switching is a construct which refers to the executive functioning of perception and action. Central to task switching is the idea that stimuli or responses become relevant due to changing task demands. Task switching refers to a person's ability to reconfigure perceptual and response sets to match changing environmental demands.Task switching creates longer latencies and higher error rates, also known as the task switch cost. In such tasks a person has to respond to an attribute of a stimulus by making a speeded response. For example, a person might be shown "6B" and be asked if the given number is even or odd. Next they might be shown "3C" and asked if the given letter is a vowel or a consonant. Other deviations of task switching include shape/size and horizontal/vertical stimuli. Successful performance regarding task switching requires flexible, context-dependent goal setting and execution. Task switching is considered a useful measure of fundamental types of cognitive control.

  • History


  • References

Cepeda et al, 2000. Task switching and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder PMID 10885680

Liefooghe et al, 2008. Working memory csots of task switching PMID 1748298

Wagner et al, 2006. Individual differences in multiple types of shifting attention PMID 17489298

Yehene & Meiran, 2007. Is there a general task switching ability? PMID 17223059

Related Information

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  • Indicators (dependent variables, conditions, or contrasts; measurement variables used for analysis) associated with this construct (vote or nominate by editing this page):
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External Resources