The Myth of Multitasking

I remember when multitasking was a term used for new computers that could do multiple things at once. The Commodore Amiga was the first commercially successful computer to bring this technology to market. Microsoft introduced it as a feature with Windows ’95, and finally, Apple adopted it in Mac OS X.

The word “multitasking” soon leaked into the mainstream. The myth that people could multitask was born. There wasn’t any concrete evidence to support the idea that people could multitask like computers. Regardless, everyone believed that our brains were just like computers and we could.

Is multitasking actually possible?

Sometimes, but it depends on the tasks. People can combine some simple or well-practiced activities, such as walking and talking. Trying to write a difficult report while answering messages usually involves repeatedly switching between demanding mental tasks, not doing both with undivided attention. That switching can slow performance and increase mistakes.

Experimental work on task-switching costs summarized by the American Psychological Association shows that changing goals and rules takes time, especially for complex or unfamiliar tasks. That is more precise than saying the human brain “cannot multitask” at all.

Multitasking vs. task switching vs. background tasks

• Concurrent tasks: a familiar physical action and a simple conversation may run together with little interference.
• Task switching: repeatedly moving attention between two writing, learning or problem-solving tasks introduces reset costs.
• Background processes: a computer’s ability to run software simultaneously does not directly describe how conscious human attention works.

Try the letter-and-number activity below as a demonstration, not a standardized cognitive test. For practical alternatives, see five ways to improve concentration.

What research says about the myth of multitasking

Thanks to advancements in neuroscience and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), scientists can see what happens when people attempt to multitask. People can combine some simple activities, but simultaneous demanding tasks often interfere with one another.

This doesn’t include two simple tasks like chewing gum and walking. Of course, people can do that; however, something else is happening when it comes to more complex processes. When we require the same parts of the brain for complicated tasks, we don’t have enough resources available. We aren’t multitasking. We are task-switching.

Task-Switching

We often attempt to take on multiple tasks at once. We might open a word processor, email, social media, and various web pages. We tend to cycle between all these different tasks, thinking that this is how we become more productive.

Research demonstrates switching-time costs when people alternate between demanding tasks, especially those requiring different rules. That does not mean every form of multitasking causes anxiety or permanently harms memory. The APA review of task switching describes these costs and why reducing avoidable interruptions can improve performance.

Another problem is context switching, bouncing back and forth between tasks that require different processes. The more jobs we include in this switching process, the more productivity suffers. Here’s an exercise that demonstrates the problem. Grab a piece of paper and follow the instructions:

1. Draw a line on a piece of paper. 
2. Have someone time you as you complete the following two tasks:

• On the first line, write:
  • I am a great multitasker
• On the second line, write out the numbers 1-20 sequentially, like those below:
  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

This task typically takes about twenty seconds.

Now, let’s multitask.

1. Draw another horizontal line. 
2. Again, have someone time you as you complete the next part.
3. Complete the same two lines as in the first test, except do it this way:

• Write one letter on one line and then a number on the line below it. 
• For example, write “I” and then the number “1” below it. Next, go to the first line and write “a” followed by “2” below it. Continue until you have completed both lines.

It won’t take long to realize that it’s much slower and easier to make mistakes. Every time you switch, it takes a moment to reset and figure out what is next. When the nature of our task changes, it takes longer for our minds to switch to the new challenge.

Conclusion

It’s obvious we need to focus on one thing at a time. This is what will help us become more productive. We can work more efficiently, with fewer mistakes, if we settle into one task. Focusing on one job at a time is how our brains work. We must stop thinking that we are computers capable of handling many different tasks simultaneously. If we can do that, we’ll find more success in our work.

Related guides to focus

Try five ways to reduce distractions and learn how focus and attention differ.