Motor limitation in dual-task processing with different effectors

Bratzke, D., Ulrich, R., Rolke, B., Schröter, H., Jentzsch, I. and Leuthold, H. (2008) Motor limitation in dual-task processing with different effectors. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 61(9), pp. 1385-1399. (doi: 10.1080/17470210701536856)

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Abstract

According to the extended bottleneck model, dual-task interference does not arise only from a central bottleneck but also from processing limitations at the motor stage. Evidence for this assumption has previously been found only for same-effector tasks but not for different-effector tasks. In order to examine the existence of motor interference with different effectors, we used the psychological refractory period paradigm and employed response sequences of different length in Task 1 (R1 sequence length). Experiment 1 incorporated vocal response sequences in Task 1 and a manual response in Task 2. In Experiment 2, the assignment of the effectors to the two tasks was reversed. In both experiments, the long R1 sequence prolonged reaction time for Task 2 (RT2), and this effect was reduced with decreasing temporal overlap of the two tasks. Thus, the present experiments demonstrate motor interference between different-effector tasks. This interference may be due to on-line programming or to central response monitoring.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Leuthold, Prof Hartmut
Authors: Bratzke, D., Ulrich, R., Rolke, B., Schröter, H., Jentzsch, I., and Leuthold, H.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
Journal Name:Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology

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