Action selection in complex routinized sequential behaviors.
Abstract
We report two experiments in which errors and interaction latencies were recorded during routinization of hierarchically structured computer-based tasks. Experiment 1 demonstrates that action selection is slowed at subtask transitions, especially when selecting lower frequency actions. This frequency effect is compounded by concurrent performance of a secondary, attentionally demanding, task. Experiment 2 replicates these results in a more complex task and further demonstrates that the effects are reduced by experience. Several other factors were also found to affect latencies, including the availability of an external disambiguation cue and the temporal distance over which task context needs to be internally maintained. The results support a "dual-systems" account of action selection in which a "routine" system, sensitive to frequency, context, and experience, is selectively modulated by an attentionally demanding "nonroutine" system.
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In laboratory tests, habits were most likely to be performed inadvertently when goal-directed control was taxed by advanced age or performing a secondary task.
“In laboratory tests, habits were most likely to be performed inadvertently when goal-directed control was taxed by, for example, advanced age or performing a secondary task (e.g., de Wit et al. 2014, Ruh et al. 2010).”
From Psychology of Habit. (2016) · cites this paper as Ruh et al. 2010
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- Authors
- Ruh, N., Cooper, R. P., & Mareschal, D.
- Affiliations
- Oxford Brookes University (GB)
- University of London (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance
- Published
- 2010
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 955-975
- ISSN
- 0096-1523 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1277
- OpenAlex
- W2095698146
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 0.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Experimental Psychology Human Perception & Performance (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- BIROn (Birkbeck, University of London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Birkbeck School of Psychology
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Human-Automation Interaction and Safety
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
- Keywords
- action selection, routinization, sequential behavior, dual-process models, attentional demands, response latency, experience effects, computer-based tasks
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Attention, Auditory Perception, Concept Formation, Cues, Decision Making, Female, Habituation, Psychophysiologic, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Practice, Psychological, Psychomotor Performance, Serial Learning, Time Perception, User-Computer Interface, Intention, Young Adult, Executive Function
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