Integrative views on dual-task costs

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a special issue about unique and shared mechanisms underlying the performance limitations observed in dual tasks. In particular, the relationship between task-switching costs, the attentional-blink effect, and the psychological refractory period effect is reviewed. These costs are traditionally attributed to fixed and unique capacity limitations for task set reconfiguration, target identification, and response selection, respectively. However, we argue that more global attentional processes play a role that cuts across these paradigms. This is reason for a more paradigm-independent approach to processing limitations in dual tasks.