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Who multi-tasks and why? Multi-tasking ability, perceived multi-tasking ability, impulsivity, and sensation seeking
David M Sanbonmatsu1, David L Strayer, Nathan Medeiros-Ward
1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America.
Plos One
|February 2, 2013
Summary
Effective multi-tasking ability is inversely related to engaging in multiple tasks. High impulsivity and sensation seeking correlate with more multi-tasking behavior, not better performance.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Multi-tasking is prevalent, but its relationship with individual differences in cognitive abilities and personality traits is not fully understood.
- Previous research suggests potential links between personality and multi-tasking, but empirical evidence is mixed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between personality traits (impulsivity, sensation seeking) and multi-tasking ability.
- To examine the correlation between self-reported multi-tasking behavior and objectively measured multi-tasking performance.
- To explore the role of executive control and perceived multi-tasking ability in multi-tasking engagement.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed questionnaires assessing multi-tasking activity, perceived ability, impulsivity, and sensation seeking.
- Objective multi-tasking ability and executive control were measured using the Operation Span task.
- Correlational analyses were used to examine the relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Actual multi-tasking ability was negatively correlated with multi-tasking activity (e.g., media multitasking, cell phone use while driving).
- Perceived multi-tasking ability was positively correlated with actual ability but significantly inflated.
- High impulsivity and sensation seeking (approach orientation) were linked to increased multi-tasking behavior.
- Lower executive control and higher impulsivity correlated with higher self-reported multi-tasking activity.
Conclusions:
- Individuals most capable of effective multi-tasking do not necessarily engage in it more frequently.
- Multi-tasking behavior may stem from difficulties in blocking distractions and focusing, particularly in individuals with lower executive control.
- Personality traits like impulsivity and sensation seeking influence multi-tasking engagement, but not necessarily proficiency.
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