Interindividual Preferences for Different Task Organization Strategies in Multitasking: Plasticity and Mental Workload

• Applicant: Dr. Jovita Brüning
• Subject Area: General, Cognitive and Mathematical Psychology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 534692718

The current project focuses on interindividual differences in coping with multiple task demands. In previous research, two experimental paradigms were developed to describe individual preferences for two different levels of task organization when performing two cognitive tasks concurrently. First, the task-switching with preview (TSWP) paradigm allows investigating individual preferences for different modes of process organization. Results from the TSWP paradigm revealed replicable systematic differences in preferred processing modes among individuals, with some favoring strict serial processing and others preferring overlapping (parallel) processing to optimize multitasking performance. The second paradigm, the free concurrent dual-tasking (FCDT) paradigm, permits distinguishing between different strategies at the level of response organization. Three types of strategies were identified: blocking, switching, and response grouping. Moreover, the chosen processing mode was found to adapt to task demands such as between-task interference, while the chosen response strategy proved to be a more rigid individual bias unaffected by the strength of resource competition. In terms of multitasking efficiency, individuals’ preferring a serial processing mode showed multitasking costs, and their associated blocking strategy resulted in moderate efficiency. In contrast, preferences for overlapping processing and interleaving strategies showed higher multitasking efficiency under favorable conditions. The current project will capitalize on the previous findings and contribute to a better understanding of the plasticity, effects of mental workload, and other characteristics of individual preferences at the two levels of task organization in multitasking. Using the two paradigms mentioned above, the following specific objectives will be addressed in a series of proposed laboratory experiments: (1) Studying the plasticity of preferred processing modes and response organization strategies. The long-term stability of individual preferences and their malleability will be addressed through the use of different approaches, i.e., training, age, and cognitive enhancement. (2) Clarifying the extent to which performance benefits come at the expense of increased mental exhaustion due to increased cognitive effort. Task organization strategies may differ in the amount of mental effort they require, whether the choice of strategy depends on the overall level of mental effort in a given situation, and whether having to use a non-preferred strategy is detrimental to task performance. (3) Investigating characteristics of task organization strategies with respect to conscious access to processing modes and response strategies This will address individuals' awareness of the processing modes they use and their choice of response organization strategies, while being aware of the full range of alternative strategies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants