The Post Knowledge of Results Interval: Effects of Interpolated Activity on Cognitive Information Processing

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of interpolated activity on the cognitive information processing operations occurring during the post knowledge of results (KR) interval. Eighty right-handed subjects were randomly assigned to four post-KR interval activity groups and required to complete the McCloy blocks test of multiple response to a criterion of three consecutive errorless trials in less than 35 sec each. The four post-KR intervals included: (1) interfering verbal cognitive activity, (2) attention-demanding verbal activity, (3) attention-demanding motor activity, or (4) rest. Orthogonal planned comparisons indicated that the post-KR interval activity groups differed from the rest group on the acquisition of the criterion task. Comparisons of verbal versus motor, and of interfering verbal cognitive versus attention-demanding verbal activities revealed no significant findings. Additional findings indicated no significant relationship between criterion and interpolated activity performance. Discussion centered on the role of KR in hypothesis selection and evaluation during the post-KR interval, and on the debilitating effects of interpolated activity on this process.