Task inhibition and task repetition in task switching

Abstract

In task-switching experiments with three tasks, the relative cost of an N–2 task repetition (task sequence ABA) compared to a task switch (task sequence CBA) is referred to as N–2 repetition cost. N–2 repetition cost is assumed to reflect persisting inhibition of a task that was recently switched away from. In two experiments, we explored whether the occurrence of task repetitions has an influence on the size of the N–2 repetition cost. The results in both experiments showed a decreased N–2 repetition cost in conditions in which task repetitions were possible—independent of whether the occurrence of task repetitions was manipulated between subjects (Experiment 1) or within subjects (i.e., block by block, Experiment 2). These results suggest that the occurrence of task repetitions affects the balance of activation and inhibition in task switching.