Media Multitasking

Question 1

What is media multitasking?

Answer 1

Concurrent use of multiple digital media streams, or using digital media stream while doing some non-media activity (e,g. listening to the lecturer

Question 2

What is a cognitive task?

Answer 2

Core principle in (cognitive) psychology and neuroscience

Question 3

What is the hierarchy of a cognitive task?

Answer 3

• Goal(s)
• Subordinate goal(s)
• Stimulus-response action(s)

Question 4

What are the 2 hypotheses for how media multitasking has transformed attention?

Answer 4

1. Sustained attention hypothesis

2. Breadth-biased attention hypothesis

Question 5

What is the sustained attention hypothesis?

Answer 5

Chronic multitasking (HMMs) have more difficulty staying on task and returning to the task when attention has lapsed

Question 6

What is breadth-biased attention hypothesis?

Answer 6

Chronic multitaskers (HMMs) are more attentive to irrelevant stimuli, thus less effective in filtering what enters into the working memory

Question 7

What is the media multitasking questionnaire?

Answer 7

12 x 12 media items.
Item: When using [one of the 12 possible media] how often do you also use [the same media or one of the other 11 media] ?

Question 8

What is ARCES?

Answer 8

Attention related cognitive error scale. E.g. I have gone to the fridge to get one thing (e.g. milk) and taken something else

Question 9

What are shortcomings of the questionnaires?

Answer 9

• Bias in answers
• respondent may not be aware of correct self-report
• No way to know if respondent has really understood the question or read it thoroughly before answering

Question 10

What are parry & le roux media multitasking interventions?

Answer 10

• Awareness interventions
• Restriction interventions
• Mindfulness interventions

Question 11

What does the causality MM –> Cognition mean?

Answer 11

Attention is less focused - in general - due to frequent and systematic MM

Question 12

What does the causality cognition –> MM mean?

Answer 12

People with less attentional focus are more prone to frequent and systematic MM. Because they have less attentional focus as a starting point, because they are less focused, they are more sensitive to engage in other tasks

Question 13

What does the causality MM Cognition mean?

Answer 13

Individuals choose specific media content that is in line with their prevailing cognitive profiel, which in turn may reinforce this profile.

Continuous interaction between MM and cognitive function. They are reinforcing each other.