The Distribution Of Attentional Resources

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.

Selective attention is a cognitive process used when reacting to only certain stimuli when multiple occur simultaneously, helping the human brain be productive, focus, and filter out unnecessary information. This phenomenon is explained by the Stroop effect theory. This was studied by Stroop (1935) in the experiment we will be loosely replicating to further increase credibility of the theory. He aimed to explore how cognitive interferences affect the reaction time of a task. In the experiment, participants were asked to to verbally name the color of the ink or the meaning of the word depending on the condition. He began by testing words with congruences, incongruencies, and a neutral control. The congruent words matched the meaning and color, the incongruencies were random and the color did not match meaning, and the neutral control was black ink. By recording the time

Multitasking can be characterized as the endeavor to perform at least two errands at the same time; in any case, inquire about demonstrates that when multitasking, individuals commit more errors or play out their undertakings all the more gradually. Consideration must be separated among the greater part of the segment assignments to perform them. In partitioned attention,individuals go to or offer regard for various wellsprings of data on the double in the meantime or perform more than one errand.

In the article “Divided Attention”, author David Glenn presents the problem of multitasking and the inefficiencies it causes to students and average day people, arguing that multitasking and the overconfidence that goes with it limits the abilities of the students without them realizing it. The author is able to successfully argue his point by using studies ran by credible sources as evidence to support his claims and by being able to connect to his intended audience by making it easier for the reader to understand more complex topics in humorous ways.

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

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

When the brain is split between two cognitive tasks, it does a poor job at both. There is no such thing as true multitasking. Instead, the brain switches back and forth between different tasks. It requires additional time to recap the situation each time the brain switches

In the past, people had to be more creative in order to memorize a simple phone number, but now we just push a button and write the phone number in and we never really give it any more thought. As Restak says in his article “the brains ability to multitask and the consequences of multitasking- for example, the risks of talking on a cellphone while driving” (Restak 410). As he states, multitasking is seen as a negative effect for the brain, we don’t seem to focus our attention on one thing. If you go to a restaurant and observe some of the families sitting at the table, a lot of times you might see everyone on their phone doing their own thing. Families are not talking as much as they used too. Back tract a few years where families were forced to interact and communicate with each other while sitting at the dinner because technology wasn’t as prominete as it is

The cognitive-motor task paradigm is based on theories related to attentional resources. Attentional resources are defined as information processing resources that are required to complete a task 19. The limited capacity theory states that one central attentional resource exists 42. When two tasks are performed simultaneously, the central system must divide the total capacity between the tasks at hand. The performance of the secondary task can provide an indication of the total processing capacity and the attentional demands for the primary task. If the primary task does not require a large portion of the total processing capacity, performance of the secondary task will not be altered. If however, the primary task is more demanding for processing capacity, the performance of the secondary task will decrease as the total capacity is reached 42. In this theory, the two tasks compete for the same pool of limited resources. However, multiple resources theory states that there are several attentional resources, each with limited capacity, and the amount of specific resources required for performing certain tasks depends on the tasks characteristics. Under the assumption of multiple resource pools, the execution of two concurrent tasks only suffers if some of the resources required to perform one of the tasks are also necessary to perform the other task. Thus, when two tasks are performed simultaneously, the competition for available

Ásgeirsson et al. (2015) differentiated between processing capacity and perceptual load when discussing visual attention for their study about grapheme-color synesthesia. In class, we learned that processing capacity is the amount of information someone can handle at once, while perceptual load refers to how difficult a task is. A difficult task is a high-load task, while an easy task is a low-load task. Tasks that are automatic after practice, such as reading or driving, are low-load

Kanheman (1973) put forward the capacity/resource allocation model of attention. This is one of the best known models and suggests that humans have a limited amount of processing capacity and whether two or more tasks can be performed together

Compare and contrast early vs late selection models of attention. How well do they explain how we selectively attend to information?

In 1953, Cherry published several experiments on recognition of speech. This was the first work to address the “cocktail party problem,” how humans are able to recognize what one person is saying while others are talking simultaneously (Cherry, 1953, p. 976). Cherry’s research introduced a problem of recognition: how humans separate speech. This research played a role in Broadbent’s early theory for a mechanical model for attention and immediate attention. Broadbent designed a mechanical model to express the verbal theories of attention and immediate memory. Cherry’s findings are reflected in the immediate memory model. An experiment conducted by Treisman and Riley sought to test effects of attention in competing verbal sensory tasks.

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.