How the Working Memory with Distributed Executive Control Model Accounts for Task Switching and Dual- Task Coordination Costs

Abstract

According to the working memory model with distributed executive control (WMDEC), working memory is not only used for temporary maintenance of information, but it also serves goal-directed action by maintaining task-related information. Such information may include the current action goal, the means selected to attain the goal, situational constraints, and interim processing results. A computational version of the WMDEC model was used to simulate human performance in a series of experiments that examined particular predictions regarding task switching costs, costs due to task and attention switching, to dual-task coordination in working memory tasks, and to experiments that required dual-task coordination of memorisation and task switching demands. The results of these simulations are reported and their implications for accounts of multi- and dual-tasking are discussed.

Keywords

• working memory
• cognitive control
• action