Age and distraction by telephone conversation in task performance: implications for use of cellular telephones while driving.

Abstract

Predicted to diminish task performance were (a) distraction by telephone conversation and (b) older age. 38 participants pointed to letters on a randomized or alphabetized letter matrix during distraction by telephone conversation or no distraction. In a within-subjects design, telephone conversation negatively affected completion time but there were no age differences. Implications for cellular telephone use while driving are discussed.