Dual-tasking in action and perception

Markus Janczyk, Wilfried Kunde

Human performance generally suffers if two (or more) tasks have to be done simultaneously. This even applies to very simple tasks such as deciding whether a tone was high or low in pitch, and exceptions have rarely if ever been reported. Using a special paradigm, the psychological refractory period (PRP) paradigm, we have for example investigated the dual-task behavior of various grasping movements (that have been suspected to be an exception from dual-task interference). Currently, we pursue a line of research including reflexes in dual-task research with the further goal of developing a systematization of human behavior regarding their susceptibility to dual-task interference.

Janczyk, M., Franz, V.H. & Kunde, W. (2010). Grasping for parsimony: Do some motor actions escape dorsal processing? Neuropsychologia, 48, 3405-3415.

Janczyk, M. & Kunde, W. (2010). Does dorsal processing require central capacity? More evidence from the PRP paradigm. Experimental Brain Research, 203, 89-100.