Multitasking is something people might brag about. In a culture that values productivity, efficiency, and speed, many Americans (including us Idahoans) see the ability to “get things done” as the sign of success. The more tasks at once, the better, right?
…Right?
The data tells a different story. Namely that:
- “Multitasking” involves the human brain jumping rapidly from one task to another
- This “task-switching” is mentally exhausting, leads to more errors, and can be dangerous
- By focusing on one task at a time, our brains perform better and stay sharper longer
We’re diving into how multitasking impacts our mind, what that means for our behavior on the road, and how to combat the constant distractions and stay free and focused. Let’s jump in.
Debunking the Myths of Multitasking
When someone is “multitasking” it typically means they are doing two or more things at the same time. Yet while this might appear to be true, the human brain cannot truly do two things concurrently. What we’re actually doing is jumping back and forth between tasks.
“We’re really wired to be monotaskers,” says neuropsychologist Cynthia Kubu, PhD. “When we think we’re multitasking…we’re doing individual actions in rapid succession, or task-switching.”
Myth #1:
Multitasking is doing multiple things at once.
Fact:
Multitasking is really task-switching, where our brain rapidly switches focus between tasks.
Despite being wired to do single tasks, people multitask—a lot. Recent studies found that over half (55%) of participants multitasked during a simple survey task, and among students, over a third of their studying time was spent also texting or watching videos.
Some people might claim to be good at multitasking, or task-switching. In a survey of 2,000 North Americans by Dig Insights, nearly half of those surveyed said they can multitask with ease.
But the reality is, we often overestimate our ability to multitask.
“One critical finding to emerge is that we inflate our perceived ability to multitask: there is little correlation with our actual ability,” writes Kevin Madore, PhD, and Anthony Wagner, PhD, in “Multicosts of Multitasking.”
Myth #2:
People can be good at multitasking.
Fact:
We typically overestimate our ability to multitask.
While some people might seem better at task-switching than others, there is always a cognitive cost. Instead of running a straight track, you’re now running an obstacle course. Your brain gets tired.
“Neuroscience indicates that our minds are taxed by multitasking,” Madore and Wagner write. “We pay a price in increased demands on our [neurocognitive] systems and some performance deficit typically occurs.”
More than just a performance deficit, multitasking is linked to several other detrimental impacts on the mind. Some studies show a correlation between multitasking and an underdeveloped cingulate cortex, a part of the brain which helps to regulate emotions and behavior. Other studies link multitasking to symptoms of anxiety, high blood pressure, and memory loss.
When it comes to multitasking, Madore and Wagner write, it’s important to “weigh the costs and benefits.”
“There are certain domains––like creative problem solving ––that may benefit from task switching by reducing fixation on a problem,” they write. “As consumers of knowledge (and media), we should be cognizant of the potential relationships between task-switching, brain, and behavior, whether we are trying to complete a single task or to multitask.”
Myth #3:
Multitasking is more efficient.
Fact:
Multitasking often leads to performance errors.
Can Practice Make Task-Switching Easier on Our Brain?
Early studies suggested that if people practiced task-switching, they would become better at it. However, a recent study by a group of researchers at Martin-Luther University in Germany found otherwise.
In their experiment, participants were asked to indicate the size of a circle that was briefly displayed with their right hand, while simultaneously identifying if a sound played at the same time was high, medium or low frequencies. The researchers measured how fast participants completed the tasks and the number of mistakes they made. The tasks were repeated over a period of up to twelve days.
The results showed that the more often the test subjects completed the test, the faster they solved both tasks without errors. These early findings led some to predict that multi-tasking might be possible with enough practice or routine.
However, as they continued the study, they found that “even the smallest changes to the tasks caused the error rate to rise and the participants to take longer to complete the tasks.”
“Our brain is very adept at sequencing processes so that they no longer interfere with each other,” psychologist Professor Torsten Schubert from MLU, said. “However, this optimization has its limits. In particularly challenging situations, our cognitive apparatus therefore tires very quickly and becomes error prone.”
His colleague, Professor Tilo Strobach from the Medical School Hamburg, added: “Our results show why multitasking can often be risky in everyday life, despite routine—for example, when driving and talking on the phone at the same time.”
When Distraction Gets Deadly
Like Professor Strobach, neurologist Richard Cytowic recognizes how critical our attention is in high-stakes scenarios. He recounted a story to the MIT Press Reader that took place on a pediatric cancer ward:
During bedside rounds, the whoosh of an incoming text distracted the resident physician, who was entering medication orders and updating a patient’s electronic chart.
The message was about a friend’s upcoming party, nothing crucial in the context of the moment. But it momentarily seized her attention long enough to flush her working memory.
The clinical team at the bedside was discussing changing the dose of an intravenous drug, and the resident physician failed to enter the change.
By the time the omission of the new drug dose was discovered, the four-year-old patient had developed kidney failure and had gone into shock.
This is a harrowing example of a time when someone’s quick check of a text led to dire consquences. And while you may not be in the field of medicine, you will likely find yourself in a situation where multitasking has life-or-death stakes: behind the wheel of a car.
The Impact of Distracted Driving
50% of all fatal distracted driving crashes in 2024 involved distraction from an “electronic communication device.”
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes on the road, especially for young people. Like the resident physician, the “whoosh” of the text easily takes our eyes off the road. Or maybe it’s fiddling with the music, or eating fast food, or reaching down to grab something off the floor.
Try something for a moment:
You’re on the highway, driving between 60-70mph.
Close your eyes and count to three.
One-one thousand. Two one-thousand. Three one-thousand.
Open your eyes.
You’ve just traveled almost an entire football field.
Three seconds is about how long it takes to read a 10-word text.
Glancing at a text just takes a second. But it only takes a second for the car in front of you to slam on the brakes, a pedestrian not paying attention to step into the road, or a deer to run across your path. Your brain switches tasks, but your car hurtles forward.
On the road, every second matters.
If you look down for 3 seconds going 70mph, you’ve gone the length of a football field.
In 2024, distracted driving crashes made up 21% of all crash fatalities in Idaho. There were 4,435 distracted driving crashes total, with nearly 2,500 leading to possible injuries and serious injuries.
The number one cause of distraction—for half of all fatal distracted driving crashes—was an “electronic communication device.”
Like research analysts Madore and Wagner said: it’s important to weigh the cost and benefits of task-switching. Behind the wheel of a car, the costs are incredibly high.
Enjoy the Freedom of Focus
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and we are putting the spotlight on engaged driving. Engaged driving, in other words, means doing what our brains are designed to do: focus on one thing at a time.
And isn’t that a relief?
In a culture that is over-stimulated by everything, everywhere, all at once—TVs in restaurants, wireless headphone in the ear, email in your pocket— being engaged clears out the mental clutter.
The result is a happier, healthier brain.
“It’s not about doing less,” says Kristin Slyne, PsyD, with Hartford HealthCare’s Behavioral Health Network. “It’s about doing things more intentionally, so your brain can do its best work.”
How to Stay Focused At Home and On the Road
We are constantly being tempted to do two, three, four things at once. What are some practical ways to stay focused at home and on the road? Here are some things to try:
- Use a timer. Set it for increments of 20 minutes or more to allow your brain to fully work on one task, and then switch to another task.
- Schedule a time of day to check and respond to emails and texts, rather than checking throughout the day.
- Declutter your space. Whether it’s your car, your bedroom, or your work desk—visual clutter is distracting to your brain.
- Limit distractions. Turn off notifications and phone alerts—the Snapchat notification can wait. Let your mind breathe.
- Set up your music, GPS navigation, and climate control before you start driving. (And make sure to buckle up!)
- When you’re driving, focus on driving. Use Do Not Disturb. It’s a game-changer.
- Make focus a discipline. Do one thing at a time. Do it well. Do it with your whole attention. Whether that’s a conversation with a friend, watching a movie, or driving back home. The focus is good for your brain.
We encourage you to choose one of these things and try it. Put it into practice for six weeks. See how your brain feels.
By focusing on one thing at a time, you allow your cognitive abilities to grow stronger with every task. And when it comes to driving, staying engaged is not only good for you—it’s good for everyone.
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