Cognitive predictors of a common multitasking ability: Contributions from working memory, attention control, and...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Multitasking is crucial in daily life, yet a unified measure of multitasking ability is lacking.
• Previous research identified cognitive correlates but rarely assessed a general multitasking capacity across varied tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and measure a general multitasking ability.
• To investigate the predictive roles of working memory, attention control, and fluid intelligence in multitasking.
• To explore the mediating roles of cognitive factors in the multitasking-working memory relationship.

Main Methods:

• 534 young adults completed measures of working memory (WM), attention control, fluid intelligence, and a diverse set of multitasking assessments.
• Statistical analyses included correlations, hierarchical regression, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and relative weight analysis.

Main Results:

• A coherent general multitasking ability construct was identified despite task variations.
• Working memory and fluid intelligence were significant predictors of multitasking ability, explaining substantial variance.
• The strength of cognitive-task relationships depended on task complexity and structure.
• Attention control and capacity fully mediated the link between working memory and multitasking.

Conclusions:

• A general multitasking ability exists and can be reliably measured.
• Working memory and fluid intelligence are key cognitive underpinnings of multitasking.
• Understanding the mediating cognitive mechanisms, like attention and capacity, is vital for explaining working memory's role in multitasking.