multitasking

Question 1

Multitasking

Answer 1

Dual task performance
Multitasking corresponds to our ability to perform or coordinate the completion of two or more tasks at the same time to achieve an overall goal

Question 2

Serial processing

Answer 2

Switching attention backwards and forwards between two tasks with only one task being processed at any given moment

Question 3

Parallel processing

Answer 3

Processing both tasks at the same time

Question 4

Danger associated with multitasking in real life

Answer 4

Probability of missing traffic signals was more than double when participants having a conversation on phone
Participants in cell phone group much slower than the control group of radio

Question 5

Single channel model

Answer 5

Sensory information comes through the system until it reaches a bottle neck
Only one task can be performed
Second task must wait for the end of the first task

Question 6

Psychological refractory period effect

Answer 6

Two stimuli and two responses, one associated with each stimulus - participants have to respond as fast as possible
When second stimulus is presented shortly after the first there’s a slowing of the response to the second stimulus
You can only process the second stimulus when the first one is finished processing

Question 7

General resource theory

Answer 7

One single pool of attentional resources can be divided freely between tasks
We can perform multitasking without cost if they do not exceed the available attentional resource

Question 8

Available capacity

Answer 8

The quantity of attentional resource available is determined by the level of arousal

Question 9

Allocation policy

Answer 9

The system that selects the activities that will be conducted based on the importance of the tasks

Question 10

Evaluation of the demands

Answer 10

System that causes capacity or attention resource to be supplied as needed by the activities that the allocation policy has selected

Question 11

Factors that can affect resource management

Answer 11

Available capacity
Evaluations of the demand

Question 12

Available capactity

Answer 12

Many factors can affect the level of available capacity like anxiety, fear, or drugs

Question 13

Evaluations of the demands

Answer 13

If the resource is insufficient the system will have to increase the level of available resources to meet the demands of the tasks
If unable to meet the demands of the tasks performance will decrease

Question 14

Pupilometry

Answer 14

Pupils can dilate in response to increased cognitive activity
Pupil size of an individual should increase with the difficulty of the task

Question 15

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 15

Causes pupil to constrict

Question 16

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 16

Causes pupil to dilate

Question 17

Multiple resources theory

Answer 17

We can multitask if two tasks use different levels along each of the three dimensions - perception, cognition, responding

Question 18

Perception

Answer 18

System that receives input of our environment

Question 19

Cognition

Answer 19

System that executes all mental processing of information

Question 20

Responding

Answer 20

System that exits the output or executes the responses

Question 21

Processing codes

Answer 21

Cognitive processing can involve spatial or verbal information
Responding can involve vocal, verbal or manual spatial reponses

Question 22

Modalities

Answer 22

Perception can involve casual or auditory information

Question 23

Perception and cognitive processing examples - visual verbal

Answer 23

Letter search task

Question 24

Perception and cognitive processing examples - auditory spatial

Answer 24

Sound location task

Question 25

Dual task procedure - McLeod (1977)

Answer 25

In single task - response between the two groups are equivalent
In dual task - performance in manual visual task is drastically affected when participants performed the manual tone identification
Performance in the manual visual tracking task was not affected by the vocal tone identification

Question 26

Automatization - automatic processes

Answer 26

Activation of a learned sequence of elements in long term memory
Initiated without appropriate inputs
Proceeds automatically

Question 27

Automatization - controlled processes

Answer 27

Temporary activation of a sequence of elements that can be set up quickly and easily
Requires attention
Capacity limited
Controlled by the participants

Question 28

Memorisation of letters experiment

Answer 28

Participants faster at detected if letter is present or absent in automatic processing condition (consistent placement)
Reaction time not affected by number of distractors
In controlled processing condition reaction time was affected by number of items to search

Question 29

Four features associated with automaticity

Answer 29

Unconscious
Efficient
Fast
Goal unrelated

Question 30

Acquisition of automatisation

Answer 30

Practice effect
Instance theory

Question 31

Spelke, Hirst and Neisser

Answer 31

After practicing for six weeks, participants reading speed whilst performing two tasks was equivalent to reading speed of performing just the one task