Separating the effect of verbal cue on task-set activation into stimulus- and response-related processes: An eye-tracking study.

Abstract

In task selection, a verbal cue is interpreted as more meaningful, and thus, it can elicit a faster response than an arbitrary cue. To investigate the effect of verbal cues on activating target task information, we combined an eye-tracking technique with a task-switching paradigm using an arbitrary cue and a type of verbal cue-a word cue with a short cue-target interval (CTI) and long CTI. We measured stimulus-selection time (time to orienting a stimulus) and postselection response time (time to respond to a stimulus after orienting to the stimulus) and separately examined the differential effect of cue types on these divided response times. Consequently, we found that word cues reduced stimulus-selection time and postselection response time compared with arbitrary sign cues in both the long and short CTI conditions. The results suggest that verbal cues activate task information more quickly, including a stimulus dimension and stimulus-response rule, than arbitrary cues. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).