The Effect of Interruption Modality on Primary Task Resumption

Abstract

The majority of empirical papers investigating the effect of interruption modality on primary task resumption have been grounded in Multiple Resource theory; this theory stresses the benefits of cross-modal information presentation. Alternatively, Altmann and Trafton's (2002) Memory for Goals theory suggests that maintaining an association between the suspended primary task goal and relevant environmental cues is critical to the task resumption process. Using reaction time and eye movement measures, the theoretical predictions of these two frameworks were empirically examined to determine whether interruption modality influences primary task resumption.