9.2 Divided attention
7 min read•august 20, 2024
is our brain's ability to handle multiple tasks or stimuli at once. It's different from selective attention, which focuses on one thing while ignoring others. Understanding divided attention helps us navigate complex environments and manage multiple demands.
Several theories explain how our brain manages divided attention. These include , , and . Factors like , difficulty, and practice affect our ability to divide attention effectively.
Types of divided attention
- Divided attention involves allocating attentional resources to multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously
- Differs from selective attention which involves focusing on one stimulus while ignoring others
Selective vs divided attention
Top images from around the web for Selective vs divided attention
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Selective vs divided attention
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Brain activity during divided and selective attention to auditory and visual ... View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Selective attention filters out irrelevant information to focus on a single task or stimulus (listening to a lecture in a noisy room)
- Divided attention splits attentional resources between multiple tasks or stimuli (driving while talking on the phone)
- Both types of attention are essential for navigating complex environments and managing multiple demands
Focused vs diffuse attention
- Focused attention concentrates on a specific task or stimulus for an extended period (reading a textbook)
- Diffuse attention spreads attentional resources across a wider area or multiple stimuli (monitoring a busy intersection)
- Diffuse attention allows for broader awareness but may lead to decreased performance on individual tasks
Theories of divided attention
- Several theories attempt to explain how the brain manages divided attention and the limitations of this process
- These theories provide frameworks for understanding the mechanisms and constraints of dividing attentional resources
Capacity sharing theory
- Proposes that attentional resources are limited and must be shared among concurrent tasks
- Performance on each task depends on the proportion of resources allocated to it
- As more tasks are added, the resources available for each task decrease, leading to performance declines
Multiple resource theory
- Suggests that different types of tasks draw upon separate pools of attentional resources
- Tasks that use different sensory modalities (visual vs auditory) or processing codes (verbal vs spatial) are less likely to interfere with each other
- Explains why some task combinations are easier to manage than others
Bottleneck theories
- Propose that certain stages of information processing can only handle one task at a time, creating a bottleneck
- Tasks that require the same processing stage (response selection) will experience delays as they wait for the bottleneck to clear
- Explains the and the limits on performing two tasks simultaneously
Factors affecting divided attention
- Several factors influence an individual's ability to divide attention effectively
- Understanding these factors can help optimize performance in situations
Task similarity
- Tasks that are similar in nature or use the same cognitive resources are more difficult to perform simultaneously
- Dissimilar tasks (listening to music while walking) are easier to manage than similar tasks (reading while writing an essay)
- Task similarity increases interference and competition for attentional resources
Task difficulty
- More demanding tasks require a greater proportion of attentional resources, leaving fewer resources for other tasks
- As increases, performance on concurrent tasks is more likely to suffer
- Balancing task difficulty is crucial for successful divided attention
Practice and expertise
- Extensive practice on a task can lead to , reducing the attentional resources required
- Experts in a domain can perform tasks with less attentional demand, freeing up resources for other tasks
- can improve divided attention performance over time
Measuring divided attention
- Various experimental paradigms and tasks are used to assess divided attention abilities
- These measures provide insights into the limitations and individual differences in dividing attention
Dual-task paradigms
- Participants perform two tasks simultaneously, and performance on each task is compared to single-task conditions
- Dual- is measured by the decrease in performance when tasks are combined
- Commonly used to assess divided attention capacity and the effects of task characteristics
Psychological refractory period
- Measures the delay in responding to a second stimulus when it is presented shortly after the first stimulus
- Reflects the bottleneck in processing that occurs when two tasks require the same cognitive resources
- Provides evidence for the limitations of divided attention and the existence of processing bottlenecks
Attentional blink
- Occurs when the second of two targets in a rapid stream of stimuli is missed if it appears within 200-500ms of the first target
- Reflects the temporary depletion of attentional resources following the processing of the first target
- Demonstrates the limits of divided attention over short time scales
Neural mechanisms
- Divided attention relies on a distributed network of brain regions that coordinate to manage multiple tasks
- Key areas include the prefrontal cortex and parietal lobe, which are involved in attentional control and resource allocation
Prefrontal cortex role
- The prefrontal cortex is crucial for executive functions, including attentional control and task management
- It is involved in allocating attentional resources, prioritizing tasks, and inhibiting irrelevant information
- Damage to the prefrontal cortex can lead to impairments in divided attention and multitasking
Parietal lobe involvement
- The parietal lobe is involved in spatial attention and integrating information from multiple sensory modalities
- It plays a role in shifting attention between tasks and maintaining task-relevant information
- Parietal lobe activity is associated with successful divided attention performance
Divided attention applications
- Divided attention is relevant to many real-world situations where individuals must manage multiple tasks or stimuli
- Understanding the challenges and consequences of divided attention can inform strategies for optimizing performance
Multitasking challenges
- Multitasking often leads to decreased performance and increased errors compared to focusing on a single task
- Switching between tasks incurs a cognitive cost, as attentional resources must be reallocated
- Effective multitasking requires careful task prioritization and management of attentional resources
Distracted driving dangers
- Driving while engaging in other tasks (using a phone, adjusting the radio) significantly impairs driving performance
- Distracted driving increases the risk of accidents and near-misses due to reduced attention to the road
- Awareness of the limitations of divided attention is crucial for promoting safe driving practices
Media multitasking effects
- Simultaneous use of multiple media devices (watching TV while scrolling social media) has become increasingly common
- is associated with decreased performance on individual tasks and reduced information retention
- Strategies for managing media multitasking include setting limits and engaging in media-free periods
Strategies for dividing attention
- Effective management of divided attention can help optimize performance in multitasking situations
- Several strategies can be employed to minimize the costs of dividing attention and maximize efficiency
Task prioritization
- Prioritizing tasks based on importance and urgency can help allocate attentional resources effectively
- Focusing on high-priority tasks during peak attentional periods can improve overall performance
- Regularly reassessing priorities can ensure that attentional resources are directed to the most critical tasks
Attention switching
- Deliberately switching attention between tasks at appropriate intervals can minimize the costs of task switching
- Using external cues (timers, visual reminders) can help regulate attention switching and maintain focus
- Practicing attention switching can improve the efficiency of transitioning between tasks
Automaticity development
- Developing automaticity in frequently performed tasks can reduce their attentional demands
- Consistent practice and repetition can lead to tasks becoming more automatic and requiring fewer resources
- Automating low-level tasks frees up attentional resources for more complex or novel tasks
Individual differences
- Individuals vary in their ability to divide attention effectively, influenced by factors such as cognitive abilities and age
- Understanding individual differences can help tailor strategies for managing divided attention
Working memory capacity
- Working memory capacity refers to the ability to hold and manipulate information in mind
- Higher working memory capacity is associated with better performance on divided attention tasks
- Strategies for improving working memory, such as training and reducing distractions, can enhance divided attention abilities
Cognitive flexibility
- Cognitive flexibility is the ability to switch between tasks or mental sets quickly and efficiently
- Individuals with higher cognitive flexibility tend to perform better in divided attention situations
- Engaging in activities that challenge cognitive flexibility, such as learning new skills or solving puzzles, can improve divided attention performance
Aging effects
- Divided attention abilities tend to decline with age, particularly in complex or demanding situations
- Older adults may require more time to switch between tasks and may be more susceptible to interference
- Strategies for older adults to manage divided attention include reducing distractions, focusing on one task at a time, and allowing for longer processing times
Divided attention limitations
- Despite the brain's remarkable ability to divide attention, there are inherent limitations to this process
- Awareness of these limitations can help set realistic expectations and inform strategies for managing divided attention
Decreased performance
- Dividing attention among multiple tasks leads to decreased performance compared to focusing on a single task
- The degree of performance decline depends on factors such as task similarity, difficulty, and individual abilities
- Accepting some level of performance reduction is often necessary when dividing attention
Increased errors
- Divided attention increases the likelihood of errors and mistakes, particularly in complex or demanding tasks
- Errors may result from reduced attentional resources, task interference, or lapses in attention
- Implementing error-checking strategies and allowing for longer processing times can help mitigate the risk of errors
Slower response times
- Dividing attention typically leads to slower response times compared to focusing on a single task
- The psychological refractory period demonstrates the delays that occur when processing two stimuli in quick succession
- Allowing for longer response times and prioritizing accuracy over speed can help manage the limitations of divided attention
Key Terms to Review (22)
Anne Treisman: Anne Treisman is a prominent psychologist known for her groundbreaking work in the field of attention and perception, particularly through her development of the feature integration theory. This theory explains how visual perception combines different features, such as color and shape, into a coherent object representation, which is crucial for understanding selective attention, divided attention, and visual search processes.
Attentional blink: Attentional blink refers to a temporary lapse in attention that occurs when a person is asked to identify or respond to two targets in rapid succession within a brief time interval. This phenomenon illustrates how our cognitive system struggles to process multiple stimuli effectively, particularly when they appear close together in time. It highlights the limitations of our perceptual system in managing attention, especially in the context of selective and divided attention tasks.
Automaticity: Automaticity refers to the ability to perform tasks or processes with little or no conscious thought, allowing cognitive resources to be allocated to other activities. This occurs when tasks become well-learned or practiced, leading them to require minimal effort and attention. It’s important in understanding how we manage divided attention, as automatic processes can free up cognitive capacity to focus on additional tasks.
Bottleneck Theories: Bottleneck theories describe how our cognitive processes have limitations, particularly when it comes to divided attention. These theories suggest that during information processing, there is a 'bottleneck' that restricts the flow of information, causing some stimuli to be prioritized over others. This concept explains why we can struggle to focus on multiple tasks at once and illustrates the selective nature of attention.
Capacity sharing theory: Capacity sharing theory is a concept in cognitive psychology that explains how attentional resources are divided among multiple tasks or stimuli when individuals try to process more than one piece of information simultaneously. This theory suggests that the brain has a limited capacity for processing information, and when multiple tasks demand attention, the available resources are allocated between them, impacting performance and efficiency.
Change blindness: Change blindness is a psychological phenomenon where an observer fails to notice significant changes in a visual scene, particularly when those changes occur during a disruption in visibility. This often highlights the limitations of our visual attention and perception, showing how we can overlook major details despite them being right in front of us. It connects to how we adapt to sensory information over time, the continuity of perception, and how divided attention can influence what we notice or miss.
Cognitive overload: Cognitive overload refers to a situation where an individual's cognitive resources are overwhelmed by the amount of information or tasks they are trying to process simultaneously. This phenomenon often occurs when a person is attempting to divide their attention between multiple stimuli or tasks, leading to decreased performance and increased errors. It highlights the limitations of working memory and the challenges faced when trying to juggle several sources of information at once.
Controlled Processing: Controlled processing is a deliberate and conscious mental effort to process information or perform tasks. This type of processing requires attention, awareness, and cognitive resources, making it slower and more resource-intensive than automatic processing. It is crucial when learning new skills or engaging in complex tasks that demand focused attention.
Daniel Kahneman: Daniel Kahneman is a renowned psychologist known for his work in behavioral economics and cognitive psychology, particularly regarding how humans make decisions under uncertainty. He introduced key concepts such as heuristics and biases, which are essential in understanding selective and divided attention as they illustrate how individuals often rely on mental shortcuts that can lead to errors in judgment. Kahneman's research highlights the limitations of human attention and cognition when processing information.
Divided Attention: Divided attention refers to the ability to process multiple sources of information or perform multiple tasks simultaneously. This cognitive capacity is crucial for managing everyday activities where we need to multitask, such as driving while talking on the phone or cooking while watching TV. It involves distributing our mental resources across different stimuli, which can sometimes lead to decreased performance in one or more tasks due to limitations in our attentional capacity.
Driving distraction: Driving distraction refers to any activity that diverts attention away from the primary task of driving, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. This can involve visual, manual, or cognitive distractions that take the driver's focus off the road and can be caused by anything from using a mobile phone to engaging with passengers in the vehicle. Understanding driving distraction is crucial for promoting safe driving practices and reducing the frequency of traffic incidents.
Dual-task paradigms: Dual-task paradigms are experimental setups used to study how people manage multiple tasks simultaneously, revealing insights into divided attention and cognitive resource allocation. They help researchers understand how well individuals can perform two tasks at once, often highlighting limitations in attentional capacity and processing efficiency. This approach provides valuable information about how tasks interfere with each other, illustrating the complexities of human cognition.
Dual-task performance: Dual-task performance refers to the ability to engage in two tasks simultaneously, highlighting the limits of attention and cognitive resources. This concept is important for understanding how individuals manage competing demands for attention, as performance on one or both tasks can be affected by their complexity and the amount of attentional resources required.
Inattentional Blindness: Inattentional blindness is a psychological phenomenon where an individual fails to perceive an unexpected stimulus in their visual field when they are focused on a different task. This occurs because attention is a limited resource, and when we concentrate on one thing, we often miss out on other relevant information around us, leading to gaps in our perception. This concept connects to various aspects of human cognition, particularly how we manage our focus and awareness in complex environments.
Media multitasking: Media multitasking refers to the simultaneous use of multiple media devices or platforms, such as texting while watching TV or browsing the internet while listening to music. This behavior has become increasingly common in our digital age, affecting attention, cognitive load, and task performance. It can lead to both positive and negative outcomes in terms of productivity and information retention.
Multiple resource theory: Multiple resource theory posits that humans have several distinct cognitive resources for processing information, which can be allocated to different tasks. This theory suggests that our ability to divide attention is influenced by the nature of the tasks and the resources they require, allowing for better performance when tasks demand different types of cognitive processing.
Multitasking: Multitasking refers to the ability to manage and perform multiple tasks or activities simultaneously. It often involves switching attention between different tasks rather than truly performing them at the same time. This concept connects closely with how we focus our attention, as effectively managing multitasking can depend on our selective and divided attention skills.
Practice and Expertise: Practice and expertise refer to the process through which individuals enhance their skills and knowledge through repeated performance and experience in a particular domain. As people engage in deliberate practice, they often develop a higher level of proficiency, leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness, especially in tasks requiring divided attention.
Psychological Refractory Period: The psychological refractory period refers to the delay in responding to a second stimulus when it is presented shortly after the first stimulus. This phenomenon highlights the limitations of human cognitive processing, particularly in situations requiring divided attention, as it reveals how quickly our brains can switch tasks and manage multiple inputs.
Task difficulty: Task difficulty refers to the level of challenge or complexity associated with a specific task, which can influence how attention is divided among multiple activities. It plays a crucial role in understanding how effectively individuals can manage their cognitive resources when engaging in tasks that require varying levels of mental effort. The interplay between task difficulty and performance can reveal insights into cognitive load and attention allocation strategies.
Task interference: Task interference refers to the phenomenon where the performance of one task negatively affects the performance of another task when individuals are trying to divide their attention between them. This often occurs when tasks require similar cognitive resources, leading to a decrease in overall efficiency and increased errors. Understanding task interference is crucial for exploring how multitasking impacts attention and cognitive load.
Task similarity: Task similarity refers to the degree of overlap between two tasks in terms of cognitive processes, strategies, and demands. When tasks are similar, they often require comparable resources and cognitive attention, which can affect how effectively individuals can manage performing both simultaneously. This concept is particularly important when discussing how divided attention is influenced by the nature of the tasks at hand.