Volitional media multitasking: awareness of performance costs and modulation of media multitasking as a function of task demand.
Abstract
In two experiments, we sought to determine whether (a) people are aware of the frequently
observed performance costs associated with engaging in media multitasking (Experiment
1), and (b) if so, whether they modulate the extent to which they engage in multitasking
as a function of task demand (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, participants completed
a high-demand task (2-back) both independently and while a video was simultaneously
presented. To determine whether people were sensitive to the impact that the concurrent
video had on primary-task performance, subjective estimates of performance were collected
following both trial types (No-Video vs. Video trials), as were explicit beliefs about
the influence of the video on performance. In Experiment 2, we modified our paradigm
by allowing participants to turn the video on and off at their discretion, and had
them complete either a high-demand task (2-back) or a low-demand task (0-back). Findings
from Experiment 1 indicated that people are sensitive to the magnitude of the decrement
that media multitasking has on primary-task performance. In addition, findings from
Experiment 2 indicated that people modulate the extent to which they engage in media
multitasking in accordance with the demands of their primary task. In particular,
participants completing the high-demand task were more likely to turn off the optional
video stream compared to those completing the low-demand task. The results suggest
that people media multitask in a strategic manner by balancing considerations of task
performance with other potential concerns.
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/17289Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1007/s00426-018-1056-xPublication Info
Ralph, Brandon CW; Seli, Paul; Wilson, Kristin E; & Smilek, Daniel (2018). Volitional media multitasking: awareness of performance costs and modulation of media
multitasking as a function of task demand. Psychological research. pp. 1-20. 10.1007/s00426-018-1056-x. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/17289.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Paul Seli
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
My research is rooted in the exploration and understanding of the intricate tapestry
of human consciousness. I am particularly fascinated by its myriad manifestations
and the potential for our various conscious states to be harnessed as tools for individual
and collective development.
My investigations are organized around four main pillars: creativity, mind wandering,
dreaming, and the use of psychedelics. Each of these areas offers a unique lens through
which to examine the depth an

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