Task switching: a PDP model.

Full Abstract

When subjects switch between a pair of stimulus-response tasks, reaction time is slower on trial N if a different task was performed on trial N - 1. We present a parallel distributed processing (PDP) model that simulates this effect when subjects switch between word reading and color naming in response to Stroop stimuli. Reaction time on "switch trials" can be slowed by an extended response selection process which results from (a) persisting, inappropriate states of activation and inhibition of task-controlling representations; and (b) associative learning, which allows stimuli to evoke tasks sets with which they have recently been associated (as proposed by Allport & Wylie, 2000). The model provides a good fit to a large body of empirical data, including findings which have been seen as problematic for this explanation of switch costs, and shows similar behavior when the parameters are set to random values, supporting Allport and Wylie's proposal.Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science (USA).

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Author information

Author/s: Gilbert, Sam J (SJ); Shallice, Tim (T);

Affiliation: Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, United Kingdom. sam.gilbert(-atsign-)ucl.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Cognitive psychology (Cognit Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-May; vol 44 (issue 3) : pp 297-337

Dates: Created 2002/04/24; Completed 2002/06/19; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 11971634, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Humans
Mental Processes

Mental Processes
Models, Psychological

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