Executive Function2–4 minBurden: MediumEMA: Low

Task Switching

An executive-function task where participants alternate between different response rules across trials.

Cognitive flexibilityExecutive control
Category
Executive Function
Typical duration
2–4 min
Participant burden
Medium
EMA suitability
Low

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Configure parameters and run an interactive preview exactly as participants will experience it. No data is recorded.

Configure preview

Adjust parameters below, then start the preview on the right.

Include practice trials

Shown with feedback before the main task

Task parameters

0.5 = 50% switch trials

Practice always includes 4 colour-only trials followed by 4 mixed-rule trials.

2–4 minBurden: MediumEMA: Low

This is a researcher preview. No participant data is recorded.

Simulated participant view

9:41

Task Switching

An executive-function task where participants alternate between different response rules across trials.

No data is recorded

Participant experience on smartphone

A visible cue indicates which rule applies to the current central stimulus.

When to use

Useful when the study needs explicit rule-switching rather than only interference control.

When not to use

Less suitable for highly frequent field sampling because instructions and cognitive load are heavier.

How to use in a study

Use only two rules at first and keep the cue highly visible on every trial.

Researcher-configurable parameters

  • Rule pair
  • Number of trials
  • Switch / repeat ratio
  • Practice block structure

Outputs collected

  • Switch accuracy
  • Repeat accuracy
  • Switch cost
  • Reaction time

Interpretation notes

More demanding than flanker or go/no-go, so participant burden should be considered carefully.

Scientific evidence

  • Remote smartphone executive-function batteries support rule-based tasks when cues are explicit and designs are simplified.

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