Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Wenn man zwei Aufgaben gleichzeitig bearbeitet, dann kommt es im Vergleich zur Bearbeitung nur einer Aufgabe zumeist zu einer Leistungsverschlechterung (Interferenz). Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit den Mechanismen der Doppelaufgaben-Interferenz bei der zeitlich überlappenden Bearbeitung von recht elementaren kognitiven Aufgaben (z.B. auf einen Ton eine Taste drücken). Diese Mechanismen werden typischerweise mit dem “Psychologische Refraktärperioden“ (PRP)-Paradigma untersucht. Traditionelle Erklärungen für Doppelaufgaben-Interferenz gehen von einem zentralen Verarbeitungsengpass auf der Ebene der Entscheidung und Reaktionsauswahl aus. Neuere empirische Befunde legen jedoch nahe, dass Doppelaufgaben-Interferenz auch in bezug auf andere Verarbeitungsprozesse auftritt, wie etwa das Enkodieren und Abrufen von Information im Kurzzeitgedächtnis sowie die kognitive Steuerung der Aufgabenabfolge. Diese Vielfalt der Mechanismen der Doppelaufgaben-Interferenz erfordert eine deutliche Erweiterung traditioneller theoretischer Rahmenvorstellung. Diese Erweiterung lässt auch den Umgang mit angewandten Doppelaufgaben-Problemen (z.B. Telefonieren beim Autofahren) in einem neuen Licht erscheinen.
Abstract. Doing two tasks at once often leads to worse performance than doing just one task. The present article deals with the mechanisms of dual-task interference when performing quite elementary cognitive tasks (e.g., pressing a button in response to a tone). These mechanisms are typically investigated using the “psychological refractory period” (PRP) paradigm. Traditional accounts of dual-task interference assume a central information-processing bottleneck at the level of decision and response selection. New empirical evidence suggests, however, that interference also comes from other processes, such as the encoding and retrieval of information in short-term memory as well as the cognitive control of task order. This diversity of mechanisms of dual-task interference requires a substantial extension of traditional theoretical frameworks. This extension also casts new light on applied issues of dual-task interference, such as using cell phones while driving.
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