Work

Influence of cross-modal load on cognitive processing and decision-making

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Thoughtful design of multitask scenarios alleviates some competition for limited attentional resources. However, tasks that demand separate perceptual resources may still result in processing overload. In this experiment, participants completed a visual search task and auditory N-back task (absent, 1, 2, 3) in isolation or together via a within-subjects, randomized, and factorial paradigm. We assessed cross-modal influence using summary statistics, a nonparametric metric of efficiency, and complementary evidence accumulation models. As predicted, we found dual-task deficits in both tasks when paired, and further declines in performance with increased task load. Further, our modeling results indicated a reconfiguration in decision-making architecture as cross-modal load increased—lower response caution in one task (thresholds) to compensate for the unavoidable degradation of processing quality in another (drift rates). Overall, our results suggest that dual-task capacity limits not only govern the amount of information humans can process, but impose (in)stable decision-making strategies across competing resources streams.

Source: Cognitive Research Principles and Implications

DOI: 10.1186/s41235-026-00764-4

Authors: Elizabeth L. Fox, Ashley D. Cook, Gregory Bowers, Zachary L. Howard, Joachim Vandekerckhove

Institutions: United States Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright Laboratory, The University of Western Australia, University of California, Irvine

Language: English

Topic: Human-Automation Interaction and Safety

Subfield: Human Factors and Ergonomics

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,990

OpenAlex ID: W7225756077

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