Interrupting problem solving: Colour cues facilitate task resumption

Hodgetts, Helen M; Morgan, Phillip; Jones, Dylan M

Abstract

Participants were unexpectedly interrupted (6 out of 25 trials) during the execution phase of 4-disc Tower of Hanoi (ToH) problems and required to complete a different 3-disc ToH before resuming the original task. The goal activation model (Altmann & Trafton, 2002) predicts that efficient interruption recovery is dependent upon cues in the task environment boosting activation of the suspended goal, and task resumption will be slowed if these retrieval cues are removed. In Experiment 1, the four different-sized discs in the ToH were each different colours, but when the disc colours were rearranged following the interruption, task resumption times were increased compared to unaltered trials, presumably by impeding retrieval of the previously planned move. Task resumption times were reduced however, on trials in which the colours of discs on the primary task remained the same but those on the interrupting ToH task were rearranged (Experiment 2). When the disc colours on the interrupting ToH were incongruent with those on the main ToH, participants appeared to suffer less interference and were able to recover from the interruption more efficiently.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: 2007 Experimental Psychology Society Conference
• Start Date: Apr 1, 2007
• End Date: Apr 3, 2007
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2007
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: interruption, problem solving, resumption lag, memory for goals model
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1028733
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 2007 Experimental Psychology Society Conference