Individual Differences in Multiple-Task Performance as a Function of Response Strategy

Abstract

This experiment demonstrates that the response strategies used to perform a discrete task combination reflect individual differences in multiple- but not single-task information processing. Subjects performed a discrete task combination on two consecutive days. On Day 1, the strategy was identified as a simultaneous, an alternating, or a massed response strategy. On Day 2, some of the subjects were asked to change strategy. Comparisons among subjects using the same strategy on Day 2 indicate that subjects who use the massed response strategy naturally do not perform as well under multiple-task conditions as do the other subjects, although their single-task performance is not significantly poorer. Subsequent analyses revealed that massed response subjects may have poorer time-sharing skills than other subjects.