Abstract
The explicit task-cuing procedure is commonly used to study executive control processes involved in set switching, but performance in this task-switching procedure may be accomplished without switching tasks. Subjects may perform both tasks by using a compound-stimulus strategy, in which subjects encode the cue, encode the target, and use the combination as a compound retrieval cue to choose the appropriate response. We manipulated the number of targets (8, 16, 32, or 640) that subjects experienced in a four-cue/two-task procedure to separate episodic and semantic memory retrieval components of the compound-stimulus strategy. Cue repetitions were faster than task repetitions, and task repetitions were only slightly faster than task alternations, suggesting that cue repetition effects account for the bulk of the difference between repetitions and alternations. We found the same effects with all target set sizes. The results are consistent with use of a semantic compound-stimulus strategy.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allport, A., Styles, E. A., &Hsieh, S. (1994). Shifting intentional set: Exploring the dynamic control of tasks. In C. Umiltà & M. Moscovitch (Eds.),Attention and performance XV: Conscious and nonconscious information processing (pp. 421–452). Cambridge: MA: MIT Press.
Allport, A., &Wylie, G. (2000). Task switching, stimulus-response bindings, and negative priming. In S. Monsell & J. Driver (Eds.),Attention and performance XVIII: Control of cognitive processes (pp. 35–70). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Altmann, E. M. (2002). Functional decay of memory for tasks.Psychological Research,66, 287–297.
Arrington, C. M. (2002).Explorations in task space: Similarity effects on task switching. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Michigan State University.
Arrington, C. M., Altmann, E. M., &Carr, T. H. (2003). Tasks of a feather flock together: Similarity effects in task switching.Memory & Cognition,31, 781–789.
Arrington, C. M., &Logan, G. D. (2004). The cost of a voluntary task switch.Psychological Science,15, 610–615.
Folk, C. L., Remington, R. W., &Johnston, J. C. (1992). Involuntary covert orienting is contingent on attentional control settings.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance,18, 1030–1044.
Kuĉera, H., &Francis, W. N. (1967).Computational analysis of presentday American English. Providence, RI: Brown University Press.
Logan, G. D. (1985). Executive control of thought and action.Acta Psychologica,60, 193–210.
Logan, G. D. (1988). Toward an instance theory of automatization.Psychological Review,95, 492–527.
Logan, G. D., &Bundesen, C. (2003). Clever homunculus: Is there an endogenous act of control in the explicit task cuing procedure?Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance,29, 575–599.
Logan, G. D., & Bundesen, C. (in press). Very clever homunculus: Compound stimulus strategies for the explicit task-cuing procedure.Psychonomic Bulletin & Review.
Logan, G. D., &Gordon, R. D. (2001). Executive control of visual attention in dual-task situations.Psychological Review,108, 393–434.
Logan, G. D., &Zbrodoff, N. J. (1982). Constraints on strategy construction in a speeded discrimination task.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance,8, 502–520.
Mayr, U., &Kliegl, R. (2000). Task-set switching and long-term memory retrieval.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition,26, 1124–1140.
Mayr, U., &Kliegl, R. (2003). Differential effects of cue changes and task changes on task-set selection costs.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition,29, 362–372.
Meiran, N. (1996). Reconfiguration of processing mode prior to task performance.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition,22, 1423–1442.
Meiran, N., Chorev, Z., &Sapir, A. (2000). Component processes in task switching.Cognitive Psychology,41, 211–253.
Meyer, D. E., &Kieras, D. E. (1997). A computational theory of executive cognitive processes and multiple-task performance: Pt. 1. Basic mechanisms.Psychological Review,104, 3–65.
Norman, D. A., &Shallice, T. (1986). Attention to action: Willed and automatic control of behavior. In R. J. Davidson, G. E. Schwartz, & D. Shapiro (Eds.),Consciousness and self-regulation: Advances in research and theory (Vol. 4, pp. 1–18). New York: Plenum.
Rogers, R. D., &Monsell, S. (1995). Costs of a predictable switch between simple cognitive tasks.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General,124, 207–231.
Rubinstein, J. S., Meyer, D. E., &Evans, J. E. (2001). Executive control of cognitive processes in task switching.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance,27, 763–797.
Shoben, E. J., Cech, C. G., Schwanenflugel, P. J., &Sailor, K. M. (1989). Serial position effects in comparative judgments.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance,15, 273–286.
Sudevan, P., &Taylor, D. A. (1987). The cuing and priming of cognitive operations.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance,13, 89–103.
Townsend, J. T., &Ashby, F. G. (1983).Stochastic modeling of elementary psychological processes. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Additional information
This research was supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grant F32MH69046-01 and National Science Foundation Grants BCS 0133202 and BCS 0218507.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Arrington, C.M., Logan, G.D. Episodic and semantic components of the compound-stimulus strategy in the explicit task-cuing procedure. Memory & Cognition 32, 965–978 (2004). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196874
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196874