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Threaded CognitionAn Integrated Theory of Concurrent Multitasking |
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The theory of threaded cognition has been implemented as a computational model within the framework of the ACT-R cognitive architecture. The implementation has no effect on existing ACT-R models, but adds significant new functionality to the architecture in terms of accounting for multitasking behavior. The downloads below are provided for those interested in using the mechanisms of threaded cognition, or “threading,” in their own ACT-R modeling efforts. Download
Reference Salvucci, D. D., & Taatgen, N. A. (2008). Threaded cognition: An integrated theory of concurrent multitasking. Psychological Review, 115, 101-130. |
Threaded cognition is an integrated theory of concurrent
multitasking - that is, doing two or more things at once. The theory
posits that streams of thought can be represented as threads of processing coordinated by a procedural
resource, without the need for task-specific executive processes. By instantiating this mechanism as a computational model, threaded cognition
provides explicit predictions of how multitasking behavior can result in interference, or lack
thereof, for a given set of tasks. The theory has been tested in several
representative domains ranging from simple laboratory tasks such as dual-choice tasks to
complex real-world domains such as driving and driver distraction.