Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia

Lisa H Evans, Jane E Herron, Edward L Wilding

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
69 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

One influential explanation for the costs incurred when switching between tasks is that they reflect interference arising from completing the previous task-known as task-set inertia. We report a novel approach for assessing task-set inertia in a memory experiment using event-related potentials (ERPs). After a study phase, participants completed a test block in which they switched between a memory task (retrieving information from the study phase) and a perceptual task. These tasks alternated every two trials. An ERP index of the retrieval of study information was evident in the memory task. It was also present on the first trial of the perceptual task but was markedly attenuated on the second. Moreover, this task-irrelevant ERP activity was positively correlated with a behavioral cost associated with switching between tasks. This real-time measure of neural activity thus provides direct evidence of task-set inertia, its duration, and the functional role it plays in switch costs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)284-290
Number of pages7
JournalPsychological Science
Volume26
Issue number3
Early online date27 Jan 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2015

Bibliographical note

© The Author(s) 2015.

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Recall/physiology
  • Young Adult
  • task switching
  • episodic memory
  • task-set inertia
  • ERPs
  • recollection

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this