Chunking in task sequences modulates task inhibition

Psychological Science
I KochMiriam Gade

Abstract

In a study of the formation of representations of task sequences and its influence on task inhibition, participants first performed tasks in a predictable sequence (e.g., ABACBC) and then performed the tasks in a random sequence. Half of the participants were explicitly instructed about the predictable sequence, whereas the other participants did not receive these instructions. Task-sequence learning was inferred from shorter reaction times (RTs) in predictable relative to random sequences. Persisting inhibition of competing tasks was indicated by increased RTs in n- 2 task repetitions (e.g., ABA) compared with n- 2 nonrepetitions (e.g., CBA). The results show task-sequence learning for both groups. However, task inhibition was reduced in predictable relative to random sequences among instructed-learning participants who formed an explicit representation of the task sequence, whereas sequence learning and task inhibition were independent in the noninstructed group. We hypothesize that the explicit instructions led to chunking of the task sequence, and that n- 2 repetitions served as chunk points (ABA-CBC), so that within-chunk facilitation modulated the inhibition effect.

References

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Citations

May 1, 2008·Psychological Research·Edita PoljacHarold Bekkering
Jul 16, 2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Lisa Feigenson, Justin Halberda
Apr 22, 2010·Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition. Section B, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition·Karen Z H LiVirginia S M Chow
Mar 3, 2010·Cerebral Cortex·Michael RoseChristian Büchel
Sep 13, 2007·Memory & Cognition·Miriam Gade, Iring Koch
Dec 20, 2007·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Darryl W Schneider
May 22, 2008·Memory & Cognition·Katherine Arbuthnott
Dec 15, 2012·Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics·Sarah Smits-Bandstra, Luc F De Nil
Feb 3, 2016·Frontiers in Psychology·Christopher L BlumeNelson Cowan
Feb 23, 2010·Consciousness and Cognition·Thomas Pronk, Ingmar Visser
Apr 25, 2007·Psychophysiology·Marco SinaiNatalie A Phillips
Jan 22, 2008·Acta Psychologica·Miriam LepperWolfgang Prinz
Sep 13, 2014·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Darryl W Schneider, Gordon D Logan
May 12, 2009·Cognitive Psychology·Ulrich Mayr
Mar 20, 2012·Cognition·Brigitte Weiermann, Beat Meier
May 6, 2014·Neuropsychologia·Wouter De Baene, Marcel Brass
Nov 5, 2016·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Yue Du, Jane E Clark
May 21, 2008·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Iring Koch

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