Applying Activation Theory for Modeling Task Interference in Dual-Task Situations.
Abstract
The purpose of this one-year contract was to attempt to model the sources of task interference other than competition for processing resources. First, a general theory of attention was developed. The theory posits parallel computations by entities called modules, with little competition for common resources. Attention is assumed to control only the communication among modules. It is shown that the attentional mechanism is a vehicle for achieving selectivity, but is less fit for coping with multiple goals. Second, task interference of a type that is called crosstalk was computer-simulated on a parallel distributed processing network. Several interesting results emerge out of the simulation. Third, the role of conflict between outcomes of processes in producing task interference was studied experimentally. Subjects searched for different sorts of targets, each assigned to a different attentional channel. Confusability between channels and congruence of responses to them were found to be potent determinants of task interference. The author suggest that potential sources of outcome conflict may contribute to dual-task interference and argue that a great deal of the residual interference might result from other sorts of outcome conflict.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA173283
Entities
People
- David Navon
Organizations
- University of California, San Diego