Answer to Question 1
Answer: A cost-switching task alternates between two tasks. For example, on one trial the participant is shown a number and must decide whether or not the number is above or below 5. On the next trial the participant is shown a letter and must decide whether it is a consonant or vowel. Alternating trials are presented in an alternating block. Performance on these trials is compared to performance on trials within pure blocks in which participants only see numbers and make above or below 5 judgments or see letters and make consonant or vowel judgments. The difference between these blocks is referred to as the switching cost.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: Each of the two tasks used in a task-switching experiment has its own set of rules (e.g., above or below 5). Thus the goals shift between trials. Goal shifting and rule activation make up the executive processes needed for task-switching tasks. These executive processes influence the task processes or stimulus identification, response selection, and movement production so that the proper response is selected and executed. Some students may reproduce Figure 7-14