Crossmodal selective attention and inhibition in task switching: Studies on modality-specific processes in cognitive control

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Cognitive control as a crucial factor for the flexibility of selective attention and action control is investigated using the task-switching paradigm. Previous research has rarely studied to what extent cognitive control incorporates modality-specific components. With the two series of experiments described here, we will continue an existing project on flexible modality switching with crossmodal visuo-auditory stimulation. Findings up to now indicate clear modality-specific asymmetries with respect to performance costs of instructed modality switches (modality switch costs) as well as mutual interference (congruency effects). Modality dominance relations were shown, which depend on stimulus material (spatial vs. numerical) and task requirements (e.g., localization vs. numerical magnitude judgment). Based on these findings, we will extend the investigation of patterns of asymmetric crossmodal interference to an additional modality, the tactile modality, in a first series of experiments. To investigate specific interactions of modalities and task requirements, we will vary the type of task requirements (spatial vs. temporal discrimination) in addition to pairwise modality combinations (visuo-tactile, auditory-tactile, visuo-auditory) with regard to the hypothesis of modality appropriateness in processing. We expect visual dominance in spatial tasks. In a second series of experiments, we will investigate inhibitory processes involved in crossmodal attention switching as a specific aspect of selective attention on the level of stimulus modalities. Stimuli will be presented in three modalities (visual, auditory, tactile) and n-2 repetition costs will be registered as a marker for persisting inhibition (backward inhibition). Based on these findings, we will establish a working model that specifies flexible modality-specific attentional weights as a function of task requirements and modality dominance relations in order to contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of cognitive control.