Citation

Strobach T, Liepelt R, Pashler H, Frensch PA, Schubert T. Atten. Percept. Psychophys. 2013; 75(5): 900-920.

Affiliation

Department Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802, Munich, Germany, tilo.strobach@psy.lmu.de.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.3758/s13414-013-0451-z

PMID

23580330

Abstract

Schumacher et al. Psychological Science 12:101-108, (2001) demonstrated the elimination of most dual-task costs ("perfect time-sharing") after extensive dual-task practice of a visual and an auditory task in combination. For the present research, we used a transfer methodology to examine this practice effect in more detail, asking what task-processing stages were sped up by this dual-task practice. Such research will be essential to specify mechanisms associated with the practice-related elimination of dual-task costs. In three experiments, we introduced postpractice transfer probes focusing on the perception, central response-selection, and final motor-response stages. The results indicated that the major change achieved by dual-task practice was a speed-up in the central response-selection stages of both tasks. Additionally, perceptual-stage shortening of the auditory task was found to contribute to the improvements in time-sharing. For a better understanding of such time-sharing, we discuss the contributions of the present findings in relation to models of practiced dual-task performance.

Language: en