The effect of N-3 on N-2 repetition costs in task switching.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Level 1 by design analogy (mini meta-analysis combined with experimental trials; non-clinical behavioral science).
PubMed 25197760 · doi:10.1037/xlm0000059
What was done
The authors investigated higher-order sequential effects in task switching by analyzing performance when taking trial n-3 into account alongside n-2 task repetition costs. They evaluated this effect using a mini meta-analysis of previously published task-switching datasets combined with 2 new behavioral experiments using a different paradigm.
What was found
The abstract reports directional findings without numerical values, effect sizes, or test statistics. Performance was better on trials preceded by an n-2 repetition than on trials preceded by an n-2 switch. Specifically, performance was superior in BABA sequences compared to CABA sequences, and in BCBA sequences compared to ACBA or DCBA sequences.
Why it matters
This study identifies a novel n-3 sequential effect in task switching, demonstrating that cognitive control is dynamically modulated trial-by-trial in response to task conflict induced by n-2 repetitions.
Limits
Sample sizes, participant characteristics, exact error rates, and response times are not reported in the abstract. Findings are limited to laboratory task-switching paradigms, and neural or physiological mechanisms were not directly measured.
Cited by
- supports When switching between tasks, there is a measurable switching cost where performance is slower and more difficult on the initial subsequent trials.