Drawing heavily from psychology, OneTrack explores scientific research on productivity, multitasking, task switching, and attention.
[read time: 10 min]
Rewired: Understanding the iGeneration and the way they learn
The aim of the book is to understand the different learning styles of the new iGeneration ( age 11 – 35) who are the initial digital natives; meaning that they are the first generation to grow up with the technology that we have today. The book discusses the different benefits/ advantages that tech has had on this generation, including a greater capacity to multitask and quick decision making. It also discusses the limitations that they may experience as a result of the same technology. These limitations include but are not limited to, a shorter attention span and a decreased ability to read and understand longer-form written content.
Larry D. Rosen goes on to discuss different ways in which this generation can engage with this technology to take advantage of it while minimizing its adverse effects, and all this with the aim of optimizing productivityand prioritizing personal learning and growth. Some of the techniques he recommends include: prioritizing tasks and focusing on the most important ones first, minimizing distractions by turning off notifications or using apps that block distracting websites, setting long-term and short-term study/ work goals, taking breaksin between sessions, using technology to automate frequently done tasks and collaborating with others in order to enhance productivity and achieve common goals.
Carrier, L. M., Carrier, M. L., Rosen, L. D., Cheever, N. A. (2010). Rewired: Understanding the IGeneration and the Way They Learn. United Kingdom: St. Martin’s Publishing Group.
The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World
In this article, Adam Gazzaley and Larry D. Rosen discuss the effects of multitasking with technology has had on our capacity for cognitive regulation. The article claims that multitasking with technology results in decreased productivity by reducing our capacity to effectively transition between different tasks and to focus on important information. It also results in less precise work, and decreases work production rates. The authors really emphasize the importance of reducing technology-based multitasking so as to boost productivity, enhance task performance and preserve cognitive control. Some of the key ideas they shared in this body of work include: the importance of frequent exercise, adequate sleep, the mindful use of technology, using memory aids, reframing negative thoughts on productivity, simplifying one’s work environment and increasing the number of brain stimulating activities that one does eg learning a new skill.
Rosen, L. D., Gazzaley, A. (2017). The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World. United States: MIT Press.
“Multitasking on a Single Device: Arousal and the Frequency, Anticipation, and Prediction of Switching Between Media Content on a Computer”
There is generally less multitasking and more task switching nowadays; this trend is shifting due to the rise of screen usage. From data, this study observed that 75% of content sessions are under 1 minute, and there is anticipatory arousal before and during switch that contributes to the motivations to switch.
Yeykelis, L., Cummings, J. J., & Reeves, B. (2014). Multitasking on a Single Device: Arousal and the Frequency, Anticipation, and Prediction of Switching Between Media Content on a Computer. (https://academic.oup.com/joc/article-abstract/64/1/167/4085996?redirectedFrom=fulltext) Journal of Communication , 64(1), 167-192.
“The Fragmentation of Work, Entertainment, E-Mail, and News on a Personal Computer: Motivational Predictors of Switching Between Media Content”
This study finds that switching tasks is not always detrimental, and that in the modern day, facing an increase of tasking switching and less traditional multitasking, we can design both entertainment and work/learning around these shorter sessions.
Yeykelis, L., Cummings, J. J., & Reeves, B. (2018). The Fragmentation of Work, Entertainment, E-Mail, and News on a Personal Computer: Motivational Predictors of Switching Between Media Content. Media Psychology, 21(3), 377-402.
“Using screenshots to predict task switching on smartphones”
This study takes screenshot data from screen users and analyzes it with machine learning techniques. It employs a Random Forests classifier and is able to make the predictions of task switching with 77% accuracy on when users will switch tasks, based only on the screenshot data.
Yang, X., Ram, N., Robinson, T., & Reeves, B. (2019). Using screenshots to predict task switching on smartphones. (https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3290607.3313089) ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.
“Popular interventions to enhance sustained attention in children and adolescents: A critical systematic review”
This study finds that cognitive attention training in children does not help improve sustained attention. Instead it finds that other factors are bigger contributors. Primarily, ohysical exercise and meditation have greater impact on sustained attention than cognitive attention training.
Eadaoin J. Slattery, Eoin O’Callaghan, Patrick Ryan, Donal G. Fortune, Laura P. McAvinue, Popular interventions to enhance sustained attention in children and adolescents: A critical systematic review, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Volume 137, 2022, 104633, ISSN 0149-7634, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104633.
“Using time pressure and note-taking to prevent digital distraction behavior and enhance online search performance: Perspectives from the load theory of attention and cognitive control”
Conducted in 2018, a study on university student addressing the impact of digital distractions. Investigated the impact of note taking strategies and time pressure on reducing students time spent on “task irrelevant browsing” They found that, “ Students in the matrix note condition and those under high time pressure exhibited a lower task distraction rate. Moreover, students taking matrix notes demonstrated better online-search performance.” These results align with the load theory of attention and cognitive control.
Wu, J.-Y., & Xie, C. (2018). Using time pressure and note-taking to prevent digital distraction behavior and enhance online search performance: Perspectives from the load theory of attention and cognitive control. Computers in Human Behavior, 88, 244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.07.008
“Digital self‐control interventions for distracting media multitasking ‐ A systematic review.”
Since digital distractions interfere with goal attainment and undesirable habits researchers created a literature review of 2021 literature of several different digital distraction studies. The summarized that the main tools for reducing digital distraction include data usage visualizations, goal setting, and blocking apps and websites. Overall they found sanctions based tools were the most effective but only if the sanction was significantly difficult to overcome otherwise people will quickly override websites they had previously blocked. They found data visualization and goal setting apps tool to be barely effective.
Biedermann, D., Schneider, J., & Drachsler, H. (2021). Digital self‐control interventions for distracting media multitasking ‐ A systematic review. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(5), 1217–1231. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12581
“How blocking distractions affects workplace focus and productivity”
The study looked at how website blockers can help information workers increase focus and productivity by preventing non-work-related distractions. 32 participants used blocking software for 5 days and reported feeling more productive and being able to focus for longer. The study found that those who were most distracted by social media benefited the most from the software. However, people with less self-control in managing distractions ended up working longer and experiencing higher stress without taking breaks. The study provides design recommendations to promote focus for different coping behaviors.
Mark, G., Iqbal, S., & Czerwinski, M. (2017, September). How blocking distractions affects workplace focus and productivity. In Proceedings of the 2017 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing and Proceedings of the 2017 ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers (pp. 928-934).
“Can our phones keep us safe? A content analysis of smartphone applications to prevent mobile phone distracted driving”
This study discusses the trend of everyday multitasking with electronic devices, especially among younger generations in the form of media multitasking. The study acknowledges that multitasking with technology is common among students in both school and home settings and can be influenced by external and internal factors. However, the study found that multitasking with technology can negatively affect students’ studying, homework, grades, and GPA. The study also mentions that frequent multitasking may result in poor ability to ignore irrelevant information. Nevertheless, the study suggests strategies for reducing distractions and multitasking when performing important tasks such as studying or doing homework.
Oviedo-Trespalacios, O., King, M., Vaezipour, A., & Truelove, V. (2019). Can our phones keep us safe? A content analysis of smartphone applications to prevent mobile phone distracted driving. Transportation research part F: traffic psychology and behaviour, 60, 657-668.
“The Illusion of Multitasking and Its Positive Effect on Performance”
Technology makes multitasking pervasive, but even though we split our attention, we cannot actually do multiple things at once for most activities. However, when people FEEL they are multitasking, they actually perform better and more efficiently on their tasks, even though they are best not to actually be attempting to multitask since it’s not possible.
Srna, S., Schrift, R. Y., & Zauberman, G. (2018). The Illusion of Multitasking and Its Positive Effect on Performance. Psychological Science, 29(12), 1942–1955. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797618801013
“Cognitive control in media multitaskers”
Multimedia multitasking is becoming common. But it doesn’t really vibe with human cognition. The researchers split people into groups of heavy and light multitaskers and then found heavy multitaskers were more likely to perform worse on a test of task-switching ability and were less likely to filter out interference from the irrelevant task. Media multitasking is thus associated with a “distinct approach to fundamental information processing.”
Ophir, E., Nass, C., & Wagner, A. D. (2009). Cognitive control in media multitaskers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(37), 15583-15587.
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