Microsoft Study Finds Technology Hurting Attention Spans

jones_supa writes: Conducting both surveys and EEG scans, Microsoft has published a study suggesting that the average attention span has fallen precipitously since the start of the century. While people could focus on a task for 12 seconds back in 2000, that figure dropped to 8 seconds in 2013 (about one second less than a goldfish). Reportedly, a lot of that reduction stems from a combination of smartphones and an avalanche of content. The study found also a sunny side: while presence of technology is hurting attention spans overall, it also appears to improve person's abilities to both multitask and concentrate in short bursts.

Comments

Ability to multitask

[Anonymous Coward]

As in "the ability to do 5 things in parallel with crappier results than doing 5 things sequentially."

Multitasking efficiently and effectively is a myth.

Re:Ability to multitask

[zkiwi34]

Zheng Wang, Illinois University is but one of a throng of people that have debunked the bollocks that is multi-tasking.

Multitasking is only possible if at least one of the tasks is so well learned that it is almost automatic, like walking or eating but it's epic fail for the most part when we try to both walk and eat). The general case where it appears that we can multitask are when two activities involve different types of brain processing, such as auditory and visual, like driving and listening to the radio although it's pretty bloody obvious that one has to focus far far more on the driving to not be a complete and utter disaster.

At best all we are doing is task switching, and that pretty bloody inefficiently.

Attention span of a gnat is what passes as a "true multi-tasker."

Re:Ability to multitask

[the grace of R'hllor]

Ever notice how, when you're driving and need to find your way, so you're peering at all the street signs, you turn the radio down? Most people can't do it with a high radio volume.

Multitasking is a myth.