A new study from the University of Surrey reveals that multitasking abilities consist of both general and specific skills, providing new clarity on gender differences in multitasking performance.
Researchers from the University of Surrey have discovered that multitasking isn’t a single universal skill but rather a mix of general and specific abilities. The findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, offer a fresh perspective on why previous studies have shown inconsistent results regarding gender differences in multitasking performance.
The study involved 224 university students who participated in nine different multitasking challenges. These tasks represented three main types of multitasking: concurrent multitasking (e.g., talking on the phone while driving), task switching (e.g., replying to emails while handling notifications) and complex multitasking (e.g., managing a busy kitchen).
The researchers found that task-switching performance is largely driven by a general multitasking ability that applies to various situations. However, concurrent and complex multitasking also require specific skills unique to those scenarios. Complex multitasking, for example, often demands a higher “working memory capacity” — the brain’s ability to hold and manipulate information temporarily.
“These findings show that multitasking is not a one-size-fits-all skill,” Alan Wong, a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey, said in a news release. “To understand and improve multitasking, we need to consider both the broad capabilities that apply across tasks and the specialized skills needed for specific situations.”
This research helps elucidate why past studies have reported varying gender differences in multitasking. Some studies suggested that women were better multitaskers based on task-switching tests, while others indicated men might excel based on concurrent multitasking tests.
By focusing on different types of multitasking, the new study highlights that these inconsistencies might be due to the specific type of multitasking being measured rather than inherent gender differences.
Yetta Wong, a lecturer at the University of Surrey, emphasized the practical applications of these findings for training and development.
“Training to improve multitasking abilities shouldn’t focus on just one type of task. Instead, a variety of challenges is required to build both general multitasking ability and specific skills needed for particular scenarios,” she said in the news release.
This study not only challenges the conventional notion of multitasking but also opens the door for more tailored approaches to enhancing multitasking skills. By addressing both general and specific abilities, we can better understand and improve our multitasking capabilities in various aspects of daily life and professional environments.
Source: University of Surrey