Dual-Task Measures of S-R Compatibility

Abstract

The present study was designed to compare single-task and dual-task measures of S-R compatibility. A numeral-motor choice-reaction task was performed alone and with a secondary tracking task. The level of compatibility was varied by manipulating the S-R assignments in the choice-reaction task. Results of the single-task trials indicated that reaction time was significantly slower for the incompatible conditions. Reaction time was slower, more errors were made, and fewer problems were attempted in the incompatible dual-task trials. Despite instructions to maintain choice-reaction performance at single-task levels, incompatible task performance was significantly degraded in the dual-task setting. Results indicated that resistance to task-induced stress may be a major indicant of the level of compatibility.

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