AUTHOR=Whitson Lisa R. , Karayanidis Frini , Fulham Ross , Provost Alexander , Michie Patricia T. , Heathcote Andrew , Hsieh Shulan TITLE=Reactive control processes contributing to residual switch cost and mixing cost across the adult lifespan JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology VOLUME=5 YEAR=2014 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00383 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00383 ISSN=1664-1078 ABSTRACT=
In task-switching paradigms, performance is better when repeating the same task than when alternating between tasks (switch cost) and when repeating a task alone rather than intermixed with another task (mixing cost). These costs remain even after extensive practice and when task cues enable advanced preparation (residual costs). Moreover, residual reaction time mixing cost has been consistently shown to increase with age. Residual switch and mixing costs modulate the amplitude of the stimulus-locked P3b. This mixing effect is disproportionately larger in older adults who also prepare more for and respond more cautiously on these “mixed” repeat trials (