Abstract
In the digital world of today, multitasking with media is inevitable. Research shows, for instance, that American youths spend on average 7.5 h every day with media, and 29% of that time is spent processing different forms of media simultaneously (Uncapher et al., 2017). Despite numerous studies, however, there is no consensus on whether media multitasking is effective or not. In the current paper, we review existing literature and propose that in order to ascertain whether media multitasking is effective, it is important to determine (1) which goal/s are used as a reference point (e.g., acquiring new knowledge, obtaining the highest number of points in a task, being active on social media); (2) whether a person's intentions and subjective feelings or objective performance are considered (e.g., simultaneous media use might feel productive, yet objective performance might deteriorate); and finally (3) whether the short- or long-term consequences of media multitasking are considered (e.g., media multitasking might help attain one's present goals yet be conducive to a cognitive strategy that leads to lesser attentional shielding of goals). Depending on these differentiations, media multitasking can be seen as both a strategic behavior undertaken to accomplish one's goals and as a self-regulatory failure. The article integrates various findings from the areas of cognitive psychology, psychology of motivation, and human-computer interaction.
Highlights
In the digital world of today, multitasking with media is inevitable
We review recent findings and the existing literature on multitasking with media; we propose that in order to ascertain whether media multitasking is effective or not, it is necessary to answer the important questions below
Engaging with social media while performing other tasks at the same time can be a way to cope with one’s fear of missing out (FOMO). This is all the more important because this tendency to anxiously engage in excessive activities on social media can cause a decline in the quality of functioning at work or school (Judd and Kennedy, 2011; Przybylski et al, 2013). This suggests that media multitasking may be a behavior that is strategically undertaken to cope with one’s emotions, but this comes at the expense of performance decrements in other areas
Summary
In the digital world of today, multitasking with media is inevitable. For instance, research shows that American youths spend on average 7.5 h every day with media, and 29% of that time is spent processing different forms of media simultaneously (Uncapher et al, 2017). Some studies show that it is related to poorer performance (e.g., Ophir et al, 2009; Oviedo et al, 2015; Kazakova et al, 2016; Bellman et al, 2017); according to other reports the opposite seems to be the case (e.g., Adler and Benbunan-Fich, 2012; Lui and Wong, 2012), and yet others show no significant relationship at all (e.g., Law and Stock, 2017) This topic seems to be even more complex as media multitasking is associated with several paradoxes. This article integrates various findings from the areas of cognitive psychology, psychology of motivation, media research and human-computer interaction It provides an integrative view on a very broad and extensive body of literature and proposes criteria which, when applied, help explain (at least some) inconsistencies found in the media multitasking literature. We define multitasking and review the recent findings on its effects
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
