The Truth About Multitasking
Tech Talk Tuesday
January 8th, 2019
Multitasking can lead to permanent brain damage
- Lower brain density in the anterior cingulate cortex (emotion, empathy)
- Self and social awareness can be reduced
Multitasking reduces efficiency and mental performance
- Context switching on feels seamless
- There is a cognitive cost
- On average, 23 minutes and 15 seconds to refocus after interruptions
Multitasking reduces focus and concentration
- Dopamine-addiction feedback loop
- Browsing the internet, scrolling on social media feeds, checking emails, ...
- Self enforcing cycle that is difficult to break
Multitasking could make you dumber
- IQ can drop
- Students who use Facebook and respond to texts during schoolwork have lower GPAs
- 9 out of 10 people thought colleagues who answered messages during face-to-face meetings were rude; 3 out of 10 believed it was acceptable, a sign of diligence and efficiency
Multitasking creates stress and anxiety
- Multitasking increases cortisol production
- One of the main stressors is our email inbox
Multitasking kills creativity
- Innovative thinking comes from extended concentration
Multitasking causes overwhelm and burnout
- Prefrontal cortex and striatum use oxygenated glucose more when switching context
- Can lead to constant foggy or tired feeling
Multitasking leads to stupid decisions
- Switching between tasks reduces willpower
- Lessened impulse control
- Harder to delay gratification/achieve goals
Protect Your Brain and Productivity
- Focus on one thing at a time
- Take breaks every hour and half to regain your energy
- Keep phones and media devices out of sight
- Recognize the addictiveness of multitasking