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The Illusion of Multitasking and Its Positive Effect on Performance
Shalena Srna1, Rom Y Schrift2, Gal Zauberman3
11 Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan.
Psychological Science
|October 26, 2018
Summary
Perceiving an activity as multitasking, rather than single tasking, enhances engagement and performance. This finding holds true even when the actual task remains the same, highlighting the power of perception in cognitive tasks.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Technological advancements have made multitasking pervasive, driven by desire, ability, and necessity.
- True simultaneous execution of attention-demanding tasks is often impossible, making multitasking a matter of perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the malleability of what individuals perceive as multitasking.
- To investigate the impact of the perception of multitasking on performance, independent of the activity itself.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 32 studies with a total of 8,242 participants.
- 30 studies incorporated performance-based incentives to encourage optimal performance.
- Varied participants' perception of whether an activity constituted multitasking or single tasking, while keeping the activity constant.
Main Results:
- Individuals who perceived an activity as multitasking exhibited greater engagement compared to those perceiving it as single tasking.
- Perceiving an activity as multitasking led to improved performance, even when the task itself was identical.
- The perception of multitasking positively influenced engagement and subsequent performance outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The perception of multitasking significantly impacts cognitive engagement and task performance.
- Leveraging the perception of multitasking can be a strategy to enhance individual performance in various activities.
- Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying this perception-performance link.
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