Previous research has emphasized the trade-off between cognitive stability and flexibility. Our main research aim within the present study was to assess whether demand on cognitive flexibility can...Show morePrevious research has emphasized the trade-off between cognitive stability and flexibility. Our main research aim within the present study was to assess whether demand on cognitive flexibility can become associated with specific stimulus contexts (i.e., locations), whether these learned associations are being transferred to a subsequent phase, and whether such associations correlate with need for cognition. In 107 participants we assessed switch costs both in terms of reaction times and error rates in a learning phase where task switch frequencies were manipulated across two contexts (25%/75%) and a subsequent diagnostic phase where task switch frequencies were balanced. We further included individual differences in need for cognition in the analyses, which we measured using the NCS-6 questionnaire. As expected, we found a reduction in switch costs in the high task switch frequency context in the learning phase. We did not observe the expected transfer of effects to the diagnostic phase, but instead an unexpected increase in switch costs in the previous high task switch frequency context. Moreover, there were no modulations of effects by need for cognition. However, there were increases in switch costs during the diagnostic phase for participants who showed a response to the manipulation during the learning phase. Altogether, our results suggests that context indeed plays a role in our ability to adjust to demand on cognitive flexibility. Facilitating associations between these two can modulate task switching performance in terms of speed and accuracy.Show less
