Key evidence & numbers
| Evidence | Context |
|---|---|
| Switch cost | researchers compare performance after a change of task with performance when the task repeats. Review |
| Preparation and interference matter | the cost varies with cues, preparation and overlap between the tasks. Review |
| No universal loss percentage | a laboratory response-time difference is not itself a percentage of work output lost. |
What affects it?
How the tasks are cued, how much preparation is possible and whether responses conflict affect performance. This is why a task-switching result needs its experimental context. Review
Try the related free test
Task switching test
Test yourself: task switching. Read the current rule carefully and compare switching performance with repetition performance within the task.
Common questions
Is walking while talking the same as switching test rules?
No. Combining familiar activities and changing an explicit response rule place different demands on a person.
Does a faster result measure my workplace productivity?
We have no validated conversion from this game result to workplace output.
Can knowing the next task help?
Preparation can influence switch costs, although it does not make every source of interference disappear. Review
Sources
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