Inattention and task switching performance: the role of predictability, working memory load and goal neglect
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Inattention and task switching performance: the role of predictability, working memory load and goal neglect Gizem Arabacı1 · Benjamin A. Parris1 Received: 4 May 2018 / Accepted: 7 June 2019 © The Author(s) 2019
Abstract Inattention is a symptom of many clinical disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is thought to be primarily related to limitations in working memory. In two studies, we investigated the implications of inattention for task switching performance. In study one, we measured task switching performance using predictable and unpredictable conditions in adults who self-rated inattention and other ADHD-related tendencies. Tasks required proactive control and reactive control, respectively, under both high and low working memory loads. Results revealed that inattentive, but not hyperactive/impulsive traits, predicted switch costs when switching was predictable and working memory load was high. None of the ADHD traits were related to unpredictable switch costs. Study two was designed to: (1) de-confound the role of proactive control and the need to keep track of task order in the predictable task switching paradigm; (2) investigate whether goal neglect, an impairment related to working memory, could explain the relationship between inattention and predictable task switching. Results revealed that neither predictability nor the need to keep track of the task order led to the association between switch costs and inattention, but instead it was the tendency for those high in inattention to neglect preparatory proactive control, especially when reactive control options were available.
Introduction Inattention is a symptom of many clinical and mental disorders although it is most closely associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD manifests itself in three presentations: predominantly inattentive (ADHDI), predominantly hyperactive/impulsive (ADHD-HI) and combined (ADHD-C: American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Our present focus is on the symptom of inattention as characterised as a difficulty in sustaining attention, listening/following conversations/instructions, and organising. Furthermore, it is associated with mind wandering-like experiences (e.g. “mind seems elsewhere” or “distractible by unrelated thoughts”), forgetfulness and hesitation to engage in activities requiring sustained mental effort (APA, 2013). Whilst ADHD is a widely diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder with prevalence rates of 5–10% in childhood and 4.4% in adulthood (Kessler et al. 2005), research has suggested that inattention, like the other ADHD symptoms, * Gizem Arabacı [email protected] 1
Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK
is best thought of as being on a continuum as opposed to being categorically different from sub-clinical levels of the disorder (Barkley & Murphy, 1998). Based on this view, tendencies of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are also experienced b
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