title: Effects of extensive dual-task practice on processing stages in simultaneous choice tasks.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802 Munich, Germany. tilo.strobach@psy.lmu.de
authors.forename: Tilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Strobach
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liepelt
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pashler
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Frensch
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schubert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D056228:Feedback, Sensory / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult