Switching between different cognitive strategies induces switch costs as evidenced by switches between manual and mental object rotation
Abstract Switching between tasks entails costs when compared to repeating the same task. It is unclear whether switch costs also occur when repeating the same task but switching the underlying cognitive strategy (CS). Here, we investigated whether CS switch costs exist despite overlap in mental proc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56836-2 |
| _version_ | 1797259298847326208 |
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| author | Patrick P. Weis Wilfried Kunde |
| author_facet | Patrick P. Weis Wilfried Kunde |
| author_sort | Patrick P. Weis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Switching between tasks entails costs when compared to repeating the same task. It is unclear whether switch costs also occur when repeating the same task but switching the underlying cognitive strategy (CS). Here, we investigated whether CS switch costs exist despite overlap in mental processing between CSs and a lack of abstract goal (always “solve task X”) or answer key binding switches. Specifically, we asked participants to judge the identity of two misaligned objects by either mental or manual computer-mediated object rotation. In each trial of Block 1, to measure switch costs without choice-related cognitive processes, a cue indicated which CS (mental/manual) to use. In Block 2, the CS was freely chosen. Participants exhibited considerable CS switch costs for both cued and freely chosen switches. Moreover, Block 1 switch costs moderately predicted Block 2 switch frequency, while an overall tendency for CS repetition was observed. In sum, we found that switch costs are not confined to situations in which tasks are switched but generalize to situations in which the task stays identical and the CS is switched instead. The results have implications for modern computerized cognitive environments in which a multitude of cognitive strategies is available for the same task. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:07:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9f0067667e4344a6a7bb073a5cf29ab6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:07:13Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-9f0067667e4344a6a7bb073a5cf29ab62024-03-17T12:25:55ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-03-0114111410.1038/s41598-024-56836-2Switching between different cognitive strategies induces switch costs as evidenced by switches between manual and mental object rotationPatrick P. Weis0Wilfried Kunde1Department of Psychology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Lehrstuhl Fuer Psychologie IIIDepartment of Psychology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Lehrstuhl Fuer Psychologie IIIAbstract Switching between tasks entails costs when compared to repeating the same task. It is unclear whether switch costs also occur when repeating the same task but switching the underlying cognitive strategy (CS). Here, we investigated whether CS switch costs exist despite overlap in mental processing between CSs and a lack of abstract goal (always “solve task X”) or answer key binding switches. Specifically, we asked participants to judge the identity of two misaligned objects by either mental or manual computer-mediated object rotation. In each trial of Block 1, to measure switch costs without choice-related cognitive processes, a cue indicated which CS (mental/manual) to use. In Block 2, the CS was freely chosen. Participants exhibited considerable CS switch costs for both cued and freely chosen switches. Moreover, Block 1 switch costs moderately predicted Block 2 switch frequency, while an overall tendency for CS repetition was observed. In sum, we found that switch costs are not confined to situations in which tasks are switched but generalize to situations in which the task stays identical and the CS is switched instead. The results have implications for modern computerized cognitive environments in which a multitude of cognitive strategies is available for the same task.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56836-2 |
| spellingShingle | Patrick P. Weis Wilfried Kunde Switching between different cognitive strategies induces switch costs as evidenced by switches between manual and mental object rotation Scientific Reports |
| title | Switching between different cognitive strategies induces switch costs as evidenced by switches between manual and mental object rotation |
| title_full | Switching between different cognitive strategies induces switch costs as evidenced by switches between manual and mental object rotation |
| title_fullStr | Switching between different cognitive strategies induces switch costs as evidenced by switches between manual and mental object rotation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Switching between different cognitive strategies induces switch costs as evidenced by switches between manual and mental object rotation |
| title_short | Switching between different cognitive strategies induces switch costs as evidenced by switches between manual and mental object rotation |
| title_sort | switching between different cognitive strategies induces switch costs as evidenced by switches between manual and mental object rotation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56836-2 |
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