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Human multitasking

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Human multi-tasking or multitasking is the performance by an individual of appearing to handle more than one task at the same time. The term is derived from computer multitasking. An example of multitasking is listening to a radio interview while typing an email. Multitasking can result in time wasted due to human context switching and apparently causing more errors due to insufficient attention.


Continuous partial attention

Author Paul Johnson describes one kind of multitasking: “It usually involves skimming the surface of the incoming data, picking out the relevant details, and moving on to the next stream. You’re paying attention, but only partially. That lets you cast a wider net, but it also runs the risk of keeping you from really studying the fish."[citation needed] Multimedia pioneer Linda Stone coined the phrase "continuous partial attention" for this kind of processing.[1] Continuous partial attention is multitasking where things do not get studied in depth.

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Multitasking has been criticized as a hindrance to completing tasks or feeling happiness. Timothy Ferriss argues that one should rarely multitask and should instead devote full attention to completing a very small set of defined goals.[2] Barry Schwartz has noted that, given the media-rich landscape of the Internet era, it is tempting to get into a habit of dwelling in a constant sea of information with too many choices, which has been noted to have a negative effect on human happiness [3].

Several studies have shown, that females are better than males at multitasking.[4]

Multitasking has been criticized as a hindrance to completing tasks or feeling happiness. Timothy Ferriss argues that one should rarely multitask and should instead devote full attention to completing a very small set of defined goals.[5] Barry Schwartz has noted that, given the media-rich landscape of the Internet era, it is tempting to get into a habit of dwelling in a constant sea of information with too many choices, which has been noted to have a negative effect on human happiness [6].

Several studies have shown, that females are better than males at multitasking.[7]

Further reading

  • Allen, David (2003). Getting Things Done. Viking Books.
  • Ferris, Tim (2006.) The 4-Hour Workweek. Crown Publishing

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  1. ^ http://www.continuouspartialattention.com Continuous Partial Attention
  2. ^ Ferriss, Timothy (2007). The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. Crown Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307353139.
  3. ^ Schwartz, Barry (2004). The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. Ecco. ISBN 0060005696.
  4. ^ Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget | Science Blog
  5. ^ Ferriss, Timothy (2007). The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. Crown Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307353139.
  6. ^ Schwartz, Barry (2004). The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. Ecco. ISBN 0060005696.
  7. ^ Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget | Science Blog
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