Introspection without execution
Evidence for introspective switch costs in NoGo trials
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22420183 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jonathan Mendl (0000-0002-2870-9279, University of Regensburg, corresponding author), Gesine Dreisbach (0000-0002-9869-4930, University of Regensburg) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 143 |
| Pages | 104095 |
| Publication date | 2026-08-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Consciousness and Cognition (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1053-8100 • E-ISSN: 1090-2376 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.concog.2026.104095 |
| PMID | 42435727 |
| OpenAlex | W7168083965 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 32 |
In the task-switching paradigm, the most prominent measure are the switch costs indicating worse performance on task switches compared to task repetitions. Previous research showed that introspective RT estimations capture the switch costs. However, the meaning of these introspective switch costs is not yet well understood. They may simply reflect the immediate experience of an executed response or rely on abstract theory-based knowledge about task transitions ("task switches are difficult and take longer"). The present study investigated how introspective judgments are formed during task switching. In Experiment 1, we tested participants' awareness of task transitions as a prerequisite of theory-based knowledge. On a random subset of trials, participants had to indicate whether the current task repeated or switched relative to the previous trial. Judgments were collected with a short (1000 ms) and a long (5000 ms) time window to distinguish intuitive from deliberate decisions. As predicted, participants reliably recognized the transition even with a short time window. In Experiment 2, we reduced immediate experience-based knowledge by introducing NoGo trials where participants had to refrain from responding. Hence, required RT estimations most likely relied on theory-based processes. The results showed introspective switch costs even in NoGo trials suggesting that participants may use theory-based knowledge to inform their judgments although experience-based influences of covert responses may also play a role. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into introspection during task switching contributing to a better understanding of how task-switching performance may relate to decision-making.
Covert · Introspection · Meaning (existential) · Task (project management) · Task Analysis · Task switching · Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics · Memory Processes and Influences · Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Monitoring one's own knowledge during study
Task switching
Costs of a predictible switch between simple cognitive tasks.
Decision making and the avoidance of cognitive demand.
Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1
The role of objective and subjective effort costs in voluntary task choice
The subjective evaluation of task switch cues is related to voluntary task switching
Distorted subjective reports of stimulus onsets under dual-task conditions
Limits on Introspection
Toward a better understanding of costs in prospective memory
Unskilled and unaware of it
Availability
The history of introspection reconsidered
| Highly cited | No |
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