A dynamical framework to understand performance trade-offs and interference in dual tasks.
This study demonstrated that the dynamic pattern approach may reconcile resource and outcome conflict theories to explain performance in dual tasks. Participants performed a bimanual coordination task and a reaction time task with different conditions of attentional priority. Results showed a trade-off between pattern variability and reaction time when priority was given to the coordination task. Such a trade-off was indicative of resource allocation. An analysis of perturbation in the bimanual coordination revealed interference, a reputed sign of outcome conflict. Moreover, interference diminished substantially when priority was given to the bimanual task. The coexistence of performance trade-off and outcome conflict suggests that these two phenomena are not mutually exclusive. Rather, both may follow from modifying the coupling between the limbs through attention.
Temprado
J J
JJ
Université de la Méditerranée and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France. temprado@laps.univ-mrs.fr
Monno
A
A
Laurent
M
M
Zanone
P G
PG
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009068:Movement; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D011930:Reaction Time