Multitasking Can Make You Lose Um Focus By Alina Tumgend Summary

Growing up in a generation where technology is at our fingertips, the brain changes its organization and functioning to accommodate the abundance of stimulation forced on it by the modern world. I recognize where Restak’s logic comes from because individuals are so dependent on phones and laptops that it becomes a challenge for people to complete work on their own. People feel as if it is necessary to have an electronic device by their side, tricked into believing multitasking is an acquired skill when in reality the brain is struggling. With the constant use of extra devices, Restak suggests “multitasking”

Multitasking is possible but you can only do two task because the other will be forgotten. This information answers the research question by saying that multitasking is possible and it affects you by letting you only do two task at the same time (at most) because if you do more than you will forget the rest. People can multitask but only two task at a time. According to the article, Multitasking Spits the Brain it states “ the brain can’t juggle more than two task because it only hemispheres available for management” (Telis, 2010). This means that the brain is only able to do at most two task because it is not able to manage more task at the same time. Also, this article also states “ the triple-task jugglers consistently forgot one of their

Multitasking, helpful or harmful? In Alina Tugend’s “Multitasking Can Make You Lose…Um…Focus”, Tugend explores multitasking in several ways. Explaining how we as humans sacrifice focus “shifting focus from task to task gives illusion that we’re simultaneously tasking”. Also, how our brains react to operating and trying to do more than one task at once. Only one or two visual stimulants can activate our neurons at one particular time. Lastly, how we can recreate boundaries and cope with everyday life and multitasking. Tugend reiterates several times the importance of one task at a time so we as humans can effectively complete tasks to the best of our abilities instead of giving partial focus and not efficiently completely a task. Multitasking is very beneficial at times, but more often there are significant downfalls; it is crucial we learn how to manage the downfalls of juggling tasks, events, conversations, and daily events.

In “Multitasking Can Make You Lose...Um...Focus,” Alina Tugend examines the negative aspects and many disadvantages that occur through multitasking. Tugend begins by stating that multitasking is the norm for today’s fast paced society; however, in reality it is pulling focus from the task at hand. The author continues on to cite various researchers who express that the brain cannot simultaneously do two tasks at once and is actually just flipping back and forth between tasks rapidly. Although multitasking seems like a time efficient method, Tugend reveals, it is actually creating a large amount of stress and pressure on the individual. Furthermore, the author notes that multitasking actually pulls away from the task at hand creating a great time loss. Tugend even goes on to explain that multitasking is proving to be bad for innovation by not allowing an individual to think in depth about one task for an extended period of time. With Tugends article in mind I agree that multitasking puts a lot of stress and pressure on the individual, creates a loss in time, and is awful for innovation.

To start, Tugend and Carr connect their texts through their similar use of pathos which conveys the notion that technology is harmful to the human brain. In order for Tugend to illustrate the effect multitasking with technology can cause, Tugend describe the feeling of, “desperately trying to keep up with multitude of jobs, we feel a constant low level of panic and guilt” (717). Many people feel overwhelmed after being hit with multiple thoughts or when other people simultaneously talking to them. This type of reaction has a very similar effect on

In our busy lives, multitasking has become a normal day-to-day activity. In the twenty-first century, the ability to do multiple things simultaneously has become a valuable asset and is viewed as an essential skill by many. However, does multitasking negatively affect the outcome of your task? The practice of doing multiple things at once is detrimental to your efficiency, attentiveness, focus, and detracts from your ability to execute your task well.

Many people take pride in the fact that they can multitask. A study “Task Switching” conducted by Monsell concluded that multitasking, or switching

Yelling at your children…” She also says that “since the 1990’s we’ve accepted multitasking without questions,” helping give background and showing how new technology has changed our working habits.In the second paragraph on the second page of the article she explains more how technology has changed and how there are now more distractions; however, she never explicitly states how new technology has changed how much and how often we multitask. In the next paragraph she helps explain how it can hurt productivity by quoting a psychiatrist Edward M. Hallowell with the statement “you have to keep in mind that you sacrifice focus when you do this”

In this modern era, it has become commonplace to try and accomplish as many tasks as possible as quickly as possible in order to be more efficient. With the help of technology, many believe that multitasking is becoming a required and helpful skill. Multitasking is actually a detrimental habit. Multitasking divides a person's concentration in order to attempt to complete multiple actions. Even though in the end the tasks are all finished, the quality of the finished task and the time required to finish all the tasks makes multitasking very inefficient. In addition, this division of concentration is causing many people to not pay attention. For most, multitasking is a disadvantageous skill that should not be encouraged as a valid

Findings regarding multitasking seems to be a lot of talk in Psychology. Theme four says that humans are responsible limited agents and we have agency, meaning the ability to act as agents in the world. This involves the ability to chose, but it is limited. This relates to multitasking. Multitasking is the practice of doing multiple things at the same time (SGWN pg 135). Theme four can relate to multitasking because having agency implies not only we make choices but also that we can change ourselves in some way. Theme four is relating to multitasking and saying that we have the choice to multitask and do multiple things at one time even though there are limitations on how much we are able to change since we exist in a particular time and place.

When multitasking initially I think it is helping me, however I’m not truly accomplishing anything to my fullest potential. Working a full-time job, being enrolled in college full-time, and being a mother I know I am multitasking daily, in order to accomplish a million tasks at once. Often I find myself brushing my teeth while showering, and cooking while doing laundry. As a result of multitasking, I have burnt dinner, and turned a white shirt pink. Looking back, I can’t help but ask myself if trying to accomplish all these things at once is efficient or if I would have been more productive to focus on one thing at a time. I have noticed that when I take on too many things at one time I become very stressed. In an online article composed by Forbes magazine it stated that, According, to a study conducted at the University of London, researcher’s “found that participants who multitasked during cognitive tasks experienced IQ score declines that were similar to what they’d expect if they had smoked marijuana or stayed up all night.” This study confirms that multitasking is slowing us down and is not beneficial. If studies prove it is slowing us down, then why do we still take part in multitasking? The efficiency of multitasking ultimately depends on what kinds of tasks that you are trying to accomplish, and to what degree of importance these

Multitasking is a common technique used by most people that is thought to be a way of getting tasks done quicker. With the need for speed in today’s society there is more that has to be done in a minimal time. But what people do not realize is that when they cram their work into a limited amount of time, it can backfire altogether. Within this paper will be an explanation of the negative side effects that may come with multitasking such as stress, physical health problems, and frequently making mistakes.

Hook: Everyone thinks that multitasking is good for the brain and that everyone should want that skill. Well unfortunately studies proven by scientist at the institute in Paris Santé et de la Recherche Médication found that the brain splits into two, basically splitting the attention. It was said that at the most someone can do two things at once depending on the ease of the tasks. The reason being for this is due to the two frontal lobes of the brain designed to help someone with tasks.

Multitasking is becoming very significant on the workplace to complete the task in less time. In fact, some people believe that multitasking saves time and can be done at all together. On the other hand, some people think that it is a distracting activity which leads to a lack of concentration. According to David Silverman, “In Defense of Multitasking”, multitasking is “crucial to survival in today’s workplace” (522). However, I do not agree because multitasking reduces productivity, increases stress levels and it is, especially, problematic for students.

Through extensive research we are now able to see that multitasking is not an effective learning method, but is a bad thing to do.