Virtually no evidence for virtually perfect time-sharing

J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 2004 Oct;30(5):795-810. doi: 10.1037/0096-1523.30.5.795.

Abstract

An examination of previous claims for virtually perfect time-sharing in dual-task situations reveals confounding effects that may have obscured dual-task interference. Two experiments are conducted in which these confounding effects are minimized, revealing statistically significant dual-task interference. These results support the hypothesis that human information processing is dominated by a structural central capacity limitation and call into question the hypothesis that dual-task interference can be eliminated by meeting the 5 conditions outlined by D. Meyer and D. Kieras (1999).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention*
  • Color Perception
  • Contrast Sensitivity*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Orientation
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual*
  • Pitch Discrimination*
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Psychophysics
  • Reaction Time*
  • Reference Values
  • Refractory Period, Psychological*
  • Semantics
  • Verbal Behavior