Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia
One influential explanation for the costs incurred when switching between tasks is that they reflect interference arising from completing the previous task—known as task set inertia. We report a novel approach for assessing task-set inertia in a memory experiment using event related potentials (ERPs...
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| Format: | Article |
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SAGE
2015
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34084/ |
| _version_ | 1848794770952945664 |
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| author | Evans, Lisa H. Herron, Jane E. Wilding, Edward L. |
| author_facet | Evans, Lisa H. Herron, Jane E. Wilding, Edward L. |
| author_sort | Evans, Lisa H. |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | One influential explanation for the costs incurred when switching between tasks is that they reflect interference arising from completing the previous task—known as task set inertia. We report a novel approach for assessing task-set inertia in a memory experiment using event related potentials (ERPs). After a study phase participants completed a test block in which they switched between a memory task (retrieving information from the study phase) and a perceptual task. These tasks alternated every two trials. An ERP index of the retrieval of study information was evident in the memory task. It was also present on the first trial of the perceptual task but was markedly attenuated on the second. Moreover, this task-irrelevant ERP activity was positively correlated with a behavioral cost associated with switching between tasks. This real-time measure of neural activity thus provides direct evidence of task-set inertia, its duration, and the functional role it plays in switch costs. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:21:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-34084 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:21:29Z |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publisher | SAGE |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-340842020-05-04T20:09:32Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34084/ Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia Evans, Lisa H. Herron, Jane E. Wilding, Edward L. One influential explanation for the costs incurred when switching between tasks is that they reflect interference arising from completing the previous task—known as task set inertia. We report a novel approach for assessing task-set inertia in a memory experiment using event related potentials (ERPs). After a study phase participants completed a test block in which they switched between a memory task (retrieving information from the study phase) and a perceptual task. These tasks alternated every two trials. An ERP index of the retrieval of study information was evident in the memory task. It was also present on the first trial of the perceptual task but was markedly attenuated on the second. Moreover, this task-irrelevant ERP activity was positively correlated with a behavioral cost associated with switching between tasks. This real-time measure of neural activity thus provides direct evidence of task-set inertia, its duration, and the functional role it plays in switch costs. SAGE 2015-03 Article PeerReviewed Evans, Lisa H., Herron, Jane E. and Wilding, Edward L. (2015) Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia. Psychological Science, 26 (3). pp. 284-290. ISSN 1467-9280 task switching episodic memory task-set inertia ERPs recollection http://pss.sagepub.com/content/26/3/284 doi:10.1177/0956797614561799 doi:10.1177/0956797614561799 |
| spellingShingle | task switching episodic memory task-set inertia ERPs recollection Evans, Lisa H. Herron, Jane E. Wilding, Edward L. Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia |
| title | Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia |
| title_full | Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia |
| title_fullStr | Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia |
| title_short | Direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia |
| title_sort | direct real-time neural evidence for task-set inertia |
| topic | task switching episodic memory task-set inertia ERPs recollection |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34084/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34084/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34084/ |