Abstract
Two experiments were performed in order to determine S's maximum information processing capacity under dual task conditions and to provide emperical evidence regarding the localization of the divided attention effect. The measurement of psychomotor performance (primary task) was obtained by using the Response Analysis Tester (RATER). Verbal interference (secondary task) was composed of three tasks requiring varying degrees of monitoring, short term memory and long term memory. The results suggest performance on the primary task to deteriorate as a joint function of both primary and secondary task processing loads. These data provide support to the locus of interference to be within the control processing (memory-dependent) and to response selection stages of the processing system. The possibility of a limited dual channel capacity is discussed.
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