We’ve all found ourselves juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, especially with the start of school and all the work that comes with it. Regardless of the situation, multitasking seems to be the inevitable way of life. But is it truly beneficial? Does multitasking help us get more done or hinder our performance? And most importantly, should we continue to juggle our million assignments or laser-focus on one for maximum efficiency?
Why do we Multitask?
According to recent studies, the prevalence of multitasking among young adults has increased with the widespread introduction of screens into our everyday lives. In 2005, a survey conducted in the United States found that approximately “… one-fifth of 0- to 2-year-olds and more than one-third of 3- to 6-year-olds had televisions in their bedrooms” (Carrier et al.), and by 2010, the average 8- to 18-year-old in the United States was able to squeeze 10 hours and 45 minutes worth of media content into 7.5 hours of scrolling through social media.
With the advent of online learning environments, technology never leaves our sight, making students worldwide more susceptible to distraction, especially while studying. A 2013 study by Psychology professors from the California State University Dominguez Hills observed 31 middle schoolers, 124 high schoolers, and 108 college students for 15 minutes while studying at home. They found that, on average, students did not stay on task for more than 6 minutes before getting up to walk around or look at technology and texting, checking social media, or watching TV and spent 10 minutes out of the 15 on task.
Since today’s gadgets allow us to do many things simultaneously, such as using multiple apps or browsers, many believe multitasking may be the most fruitful course of action. Past studies, however, suggest the opposite: the harmful effects of multitasking far outweigh its benefits. The harmful effects are listed below:
- Effects of Multitasking on the Brain
While multitasking enhances creativity (Loh and Lim 2020), previous studies have shed light on how multitasking actually hinders our overall cognitive abilities, thus making it less counterproductive.
- Reduced Productivity
Contrary to popular belief, multitasking can lead to decreased efficiency. According to a study from Stanford University, heavy multitaskers were less efficient in organizing their thoughts and filtering out irrelevant information, making them slower at switching between tasks than those who usually focus on one task at a time.
- Decreased Memory Retention
The constant shuffle between tasks affects our memory retention capabilities. Engaging in multiple tasks distracts the brain, preventing the efficient transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory.
- Increased Stress
Juggling multiple tasks simultaneously can elevate stress levels. The pressure of handling more than one task, combined with the fear of making errors, leads to heightened cortisol, a stress hormone, production.
- Lowered Quality of Work
With attention split between multiple activities, the quality of work will suffer, leading to mistakes and a lack of depth in any given task.
- Social and Emotional Consequences
Beyond the cognitive impacts, multitasking, especially involving digital devices, has social and emotional drawbacks.
- Impaired Social Interactions
Engaging in multitasking during conversations, like checking phones, can lead to decreased empathetic connections, making interactions less meaningful.
- Reduced Happiness
A study from UC Irvine found that subjects who were interrupted frequently by emails and notifications reported higher stress levels and lower levels of satisfaction at the end of their working day.
Conclusion
While the allure of multitasking in our hyper-connected world is strong, it’s paramount to weigh its benefits against the potential costs. Our cognitive functions, the quality of our work, and even our relationships may be at stake. Although embracing focused attention and single-tasking may seem like the less desirable path, it is truly a step towards a more productive and meaningful engagement with our tasks and with those around us.
0
0
Average Rating