A Computational Theory of Executive Cognitive Processes and Multiple-Task Performance: Part 1. Basic Mechanisms

A new theoretical framework, executive-process interactive control (EPIC), is introduced for characterizing human performance of concurrent perceptual-motor and cognitive tasks. On the basis of EPIC, computational models may be formulated to simulate multiple-task performance under a variety of circ...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological review 1997-01, Vol.104 (1), p.3-65
Main Authors: Meyer, David E, Kieras, David E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attention
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
Cognition
Cognition. Intelligence
Computer Simulation
Computerization
Executive processing
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Individual behaviour
Memory
Mental Processes
Problem Solving
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychomotor Performance
Reaction Time
Refractory Period, Psychological
Theories
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A new theoretical framework, executive-process interactive control (EPIC), is introduced for characterizing human performance of concurrent perceptual-motor and cognitive tasks. On the basis of EPIC, computational models may be formulated to simulate multiple-task performance under a variety of circumstances. These models account well for reaction-time data from representative situations such as the psychological refractory-period procedure. EPIC's goodness of fit supports several key conclusions: (a) At a cognitive level, people can apply distinct sets of production rules simultaneously for executing the procedures of multiple tasks; (b) people's capacity to process information at "peripheral" perceptual-motor levels is limited; (c) to cope with such limits and to satisfy task priorities, flexible scheduling strategies are used; and (d) these strategies are mediated by executive cognitive processes that coordinate concurrent tasks adaptively.
ISSN:0033-295X
1939-1471
DOI:10.1037/0033-295X.104.1.3