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The Myth of Multitasking: Understanding the Limits of Human Attention

Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)
Psych Pstuff
Published in
5 min readNov 15, 2023

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Now, more than ever, I believe that the antidote to our ever-expanding to-do lists, the distractions of modern life, and the fragmentation of our attention is to do one thing at a time. Once we realize that we are the ones who control our own attention, we can choose where to apply it. ― Thatcher Wine, The Twelve Monotasks: Do One Thing at a Time to Do Everything Better

Photo by Vitolda Klein on Unsplash

In the fast-paced world of the 21st century, multitasking is often hailed as a necessary skill for efficiency and productivity. However, emerging research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience suggests that the concept of multitasking, as commonly understood, is largely a myth. This article delves into the intricacies of this phenomenon, unraveling the misconceptions about human attention and productivity.

Understanding Multitasking: A Cognitive Perspective

The term “multitasking” implies the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. However, what most people perceive as multitasking is actually task-switching. Human attention has limitations, and the brain processes information serially rather than in parallel when it comes to conscious, high-level tasks (Rubinstein, Meyer & Evans, 2001). This means that when individuals attempt to multitask, they are swiftly switching their focus from one task to…

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Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)
Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)

Written by Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)

Writer and university professor researching the human condition, generational studies, human and animal rights, and the intersection of art and psychology

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