Hierarchical switching in a multi-dimensional task space |
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Authors: | Thomas Kleinsorge Herbert Heuer |
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Institution: | Institut für Arbeitsphysiologie an der Universit?t Dortmund, Ardeystra?e 67, Dortmund, Germany; Tel.: +49-231-1084321; Fax: +49-231-1084340; e-mail: kleinsorge@arb-phys.uni-dortmund.de, DE
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Abstract: | We explored shift costs for a dimensionally organized set of tasks. Task dimensions were type of judgement (numerical vs.
spatial) and judgement-to-response mapping (compatible vs. incompatible). Shift costs were determined as the difference in
RTs between switch trials and repetitions in a situation in which the kind of task was unpredictable. Shift costs were greatest
when the type of judgement was changed. A change in the mapping increased shift costs when the type of judgement remained
unchanged, but reduced shift costs when the type of judgement was changed as well. Also, response alternations produced costs
when both the type of judgement and SR mapping were unchanged, but reduced shift costs otherwise. In addition to the relation
between successive tasks, shift costs were modulated by the specifics of the elementary tasks. The major characteristics of
the pattern of shift costs could be accounted for by the hypothesis of a dimensionally organized task space in which hierarchically
organized, relative switching operations are performed that affect the highest-level task dimension at which a change is required,
and all lower-level dimensions in a first step. In a second step, lower-level dimensions are switched back when no change
is required, and then the selected control structure is implemented.
Received: 11 December 1997 / Accepted: 6 July 1998 |
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