Stopping while going! Response inhibition does not suffer dual-task interference

J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 2012 Feb;38(1):123-34. doi: 10.1037/a0023918. Epub 2011 May 16.

Abstract

Although dual-task interference is ubiquitous in a variety of task domains, stop-signal studies suggest that response inhibition is not subject to such interference. Nevertheless, no study has directly examined stop-signal performance in a dual-task setting. In two experiments, stop-signal performance was examined in a psychological refractory period task, in which subjects inhibited one response while still executing the other. The results showed little evidence for the refractory effect in stop-signal reaction time, and stop-signal reaction time was similar in dual-task and single-task conditions, despite the fact that overt reaction times were significantly affected by dual-task interference. Therefore, the present study supports the claim that response inhibition does not suffer dual-task interference.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Color Perception / physiology
  • Executive Function / physiology*
  • Form Perception / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Reaction Time / physiology*
  • Refractory Period, Psychological / physiology*
  • Young Adult