Computational and neural mechanisms of task switching

Jeremy R. Reynolds; Todd S. Braver; Joshua W. Brown; Stefan Van der Stigchel

doi:10.1016/j.neucom.2005.12.102

Computational and neural mechanisms of task switching

Jeremy R. Reynolds, Todd S. Braver, Joshua W. Brown, Stefan Van der Stigchel

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Switching between tasks that overlap in perceptual and response characteristics is assumed to rely upon the maintenance of task representations in prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, task-switching studies demonstrate "switch costs," even when there is sufficient time to prepare for a new task. These costs suggest that task-switching performance reflects a complex interplay between priming and the updating and maintenance of task representations. We describe a computational model in which this interaction is made explicit and linked to the dynamics of PFC. Simulation results account for a variety of empirical phenomena and predict a double dissociation in lateral PFC that was subsequently identified.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1332-1336
Number of pages	5
Journal	Neurocomputing
Volume	69
Issue number	10-12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucom.2005.12.102
State	Published - May 2006

Keywords

Behavior
Cognitive control
Functional imaging
Prefrontal cortex
Task switching

Access to Document

10.1016/j.neucom.2005.12.102

Cite this

@article{06fa5cd904ba44d2a4ddd5771f1b56f9,

title = "Computational and neural mechanisms of task switching",

abstract = "Switching between tasks that overlap in perceptual and response characteristics is assumed to rely upon the maintenance of task representations in prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, task-switching studies demonstrate {"}switch costs,{"} even when there is sufficient time to prepare for a new task. These costs suggest that task-switching performance reflects a complex interplay between priming and the updating and maintenance of task representations. We describe a computational model in which this interaction is made explicit and linked to the dynamics of PFC. Simulation results account for a variety of empirical phenomena and predict a double dissociation in lateral PFC that was subsequently identified.",

keywords = "Behavior, Cognitive control, Functional imaging, Prefrontal cortex, Task switching",

author = "Reynolds, {Jeremy R.} and Braver, {Todd S.} and Brown, {Joshua W.} and {Van der Stigchel}, Stefan",

note = "Funding Information: We are grateful to Andy Jones and Nicole Speer for helpful comments and suggestions. Supported by the Office of Naval Research (grant N00014-00-1- 0715) awarded to TSB and a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship awarded to JRR. ",

year = "2006",

month = may,

doi = "10.1016/j.neucom.2005.12.102",

language = "English",

volume = "69",

pages = "1332--1336",

journal = "Neurocomputing",

issn = "0925-2312",

number = "10-12",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Computational and neural mechanisms of task switching

AU - Reynolds, Jeremy R.

AU - Braver, Todd S.

AU - Brown, Joshua W.

AU - Van der Stigchel, Stefan

N1 - Funding Information: We are grateful to Andy Jones and Nicole Speer for helpful comments and suggestions. Supported by the Office of Naval Research (grant N00014-00-1- 0715) awarded to TSB and a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship awarded to JRR.

PY - 2006/5

Y1 - 2006/5

N2 - Switching between tasks that overlap in perceptual and response characteristics is assumed to rely upon the maintenance of task representations in prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, task-switching studies demonstrate "switch costs," even when there is sufficient time to prepare for a new task. These costs suggest that task-switching performance reflects a complex interplay between priming and the updating and maintenance of task representations. We describe a computational model in which this interaction is made explicit and linked to the dynamics of PFC. Simulation results account for a variety of empirical phenomena and predict a double dissociation in lateral PFC that was subsequently identified.

AB - Switching between tasks that overlap in perceptual and response characteristics is assumed to rely upon the maintenance of task representations in prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, task-switching studies demonstrate "switch costs," even when there is sufficient time to prepare for a new task. These costs suggest that task-switching performance reflects a complex interplay between priming and the updating and maintenance of task representations. We describe a computational model in which this interaction is made explicit and linked to the dynamics of PFC. Simulation results account for a variety of empirical phenomena and predict a double dissociation in lateral PFC that was subsequently identified.

KW - Behavior

KW - Cognitive control

KW - Functional imaging

KW - Prefrontal cortex

KW - Task switching

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33646089204&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.neucom.2005.12.102

DO - 10.1016/j.neucom.2005.12.102

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:33646089204

SN - 0925-2312

VL - 69

SP - 1332

EP - 1336

JO - Neurocomputing

JF - Neurocomputing

IS - 10-12

ER -

Computational and neural mechanisms of task switching

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this