Parallel dual-task processing and task-shielding in older and younger adults: Behavioral and diffusion model results.

Background/Study Context: The study investigated the Backward Crosstalk Effect (BCE) in dual-task situations, that is, the observation that Task 2 characteristics can even influence Task 1 processing. This observation suggests that the tasks are processed in parallel. Besides determining the existen...

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Published in:Experimental Aging Research Vol. 44; no. 2; pp. 95 - 117
Main Authors: Janczyk, Markus, Mittelstädt, Patrik, Wienrich's, Carolin
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Mar/Apr2018
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        0361073X
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      dt: Mar/Apr2018
      vid: 44
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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        10.1080/0361073X.2017.1422459
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        atl: Parallel dual-task processing and task-shielding in older and younger adults: Behavioral and diffusion model results.
      aug:
        au:
          Janczyk, Markus
          Mittelstädt, Patrik
          Wienrich's, Carolin
        affil: Department of Psychology Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany
      sug:
        subj:
          Task Performance and Analysis In Adulthood
          Task Performance and Analysis In Old Age
          Human
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Analysis of Variance
          Age Factors
          Cognition
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
      ab: Background/Study Context: The study investigated the Backward Crosstalk Effect (BCE) in dual-task situations, that is, the observation that Task 2 characteristics can even influence Task 1 processing. This observation suggests that the tasks are processed in parallel. Besides determining the existence of a BCE in a group of older adults, the size of the BCE was compared to that in a group of younger adults. Importantly, recent studies yielded unclear results. Methods: Twenty-four younger and older adults (19–27 and 58–71 years of age, respectively) performed a dual-task experiment, where Task 1 required a left/right manual response and Task 2 required a left/right foot response. The BCE manifests in shorter Task 1 RTs if both responses are given on the same side (compatible) compared to when they are given on different sides (incompatible). Data were analyzed by Analyses of Variance and diffusion modeling. Results: Both age groups clearly exhibited a BCE, and the BCEs were of the same size. Further, for both age groups, the size of the BCE was similarly modulated by the previous trial’s compatibility status. Diffusion model analyses attribute the BCE to an increased drift rate in compatible compared to incompatible trials, and also revealed no age group differences in any of the analyzed parameters. Conclusion: The results point to an aspect of cognition that seems not to show age-related deteriorations, similar to, for example, n-2 repetition costs in task-switching situations. Certain response selection-related aspects of task processing are processed in parallel to the same degree in younger and older adults, and both age groups are similarly able to shield Task 1 processing from interfering Task 2 processing in a dual-task situation.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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