Causes and consequences of errors in dual-tasking

有效的任务执行需要一个错误监控系统来检测错误并启动控制调整，以防止进一步的错误。当多个子任务同时执行或快速连续执行时，这些机制甚至更加重要，因为子任务之间的干扰使双任务性能特别容易出错。本项目研究如何在双重任务下实现可靠的错误监测，以及如何通过自适应认知控制过程预防错误。本课题主要研究四个问题：首先，研究子任务级和双任务级的错误是如何同时监测的。其次，我们提出了错误监控系统如何解决多个错误信号必须正确分配到相应任务时出现的信用分配问题。第三，我们讨论了错误后视觉注意的动态变化如何有助于自适应控制调整和错误引起的干扰。最后，我们研究了如何通过提前准备来实现成功的双任务表现。我们的方法是在心理不应期范式中分析行为数据和事件相关电位。我们的研究旨在提高我们对双重任务下错误监测结构和认知控制运作的基本认识。

Efficient task performance requires an error monitoring system that detects errors and initiates control adjustments in order to prevent further errors. These mechanisms are even more important when multiple subtasks are executed simultaneously or in rapid succession as interference between subtasks makes dual-tasking performance particularly error-prone. The present project investigates how reliable error monitoring under dual-tasking is achieved, and how errors can be prevented by adaptive cognitive control processes. The project focusses on four research questions: First, we investigate how errors on the subtask-level and dual-task-level are simultaneously monitored. Second, we ask how the error monitoring system solves the credit assignment problem that emerges when multiple error signals have to be correctly assigned to their corresponding tasks. Third, we address how dynamic changes of visual attention following errors contribute to adaptive control adjustments and error-induced interference. And finally, we examine how successful dual-tasking performance is achieved by advance preparation. Our methodological approach is to analyze behavioral data and event-related potentials in the Psychological Refractory Period paradigm. Our studies aim to improve our basic understanding of the architecture of error monitoring and the operation of cognitive control under dual-tasking.