Media multitasking, as defined by the study conducted by Ralph, Thompson, Cheyne, and Smilek, is the engagement of more than one medium in a given time (i.e. listening to music, reading, and watching a video simultaneously). Utilizing a series of online self-report measures, the study examines media multitasking and its relation to various aspects of everyday attention; particularly failures of attention and cognitive errors, mind wandering, and attentional control, emphasizing attentional switching and distractibility. The study seeks to apply seven questionnaire formats to signify the various forms of attention deficits and controls.
The study’s empirical foundations can be found in various studies revolving around the rise in media use and trends in negative correlations between media multitasking. In one such study, Rideout and Feohr reported that about 39% of 8 to 18 year olds reported owning cell phones whereas in 2009, over 66% reported owning cell phones. The scientists predicted with the increased availability and advancement of media devices, the trend will continue to rise exponentially. In 2010, Rideout attempted to link the frequency of media consumption with scholastic performance, boredom and depression. To empirically study media multitasking, Ophir, Nass, and Wagner developed the Media Multitasking Index (MMI) to evaluated self-reported media multitasking across various mediums. The findings of this study yielded interesting, yet counter-intuitive results. In the study, Heavy Media Multitaskers (HMMs; i.e., individuals scoring over one standard deviation above the mean on the MMI) showed a greater ability to deploy their attention more broadly at the expense of detail, and their Light Media Multitasker (LMMs; i.e., individuals scoring over one standard deviation below the mean on the MMI) counterparts showed a greater predisposition to utilize top-down attentional control and a narrower focus of attention. Contrary to intuition, LMMs showed a greater ability to ignore distracting information (Cain and Mitroff, 2011). Other empirical foundational studies include studies performed by Sanbonmatsu Straver, Medeiros-Ward, and Watson (2013); Alzhabi and Becker (2013); and Minear Brasher, McCurdy, Lewis and Younggren (2013). The purpose of Ralph, Thompson, Cheyne, and Smilek’s study was to explore possible associations between media multitasking and self-reported attentional functioning in everyday life; namely lapses of attention and attention-related cognitive errors, spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering, and attention control. The general hypothesis of the study is that repeatedly, and concurrently engaging in multiple streams of media may atrophy the internal control mechanisms and possibly increase the likely of environmental impact on the natural control of attention. The scientists …show more content…
The MMI served as an indication of the level of media multitasking the individual is engaged in during a typical media-consumption hour. The MAAS-LO assesses the frequency with which an individual experiences lapses of attention in everyday situations. The ARCES evaluates cognitive failures in everyday situations for which lapses of attention are the most likely cause. The MFS measures everyday memory failures that are minimally explained by attentional errors. The MW-S and MW-D measure the self-reported everyday mind wandering with higher scores reflecting a greater tendency to mind wandering whether spontaneously or deliberately. The AC-S and AC-D presents four distraction situations and measured the responses on a five-point Likert scale with higher scores reflecting greater distractibility. The MMBQ is a 24-item scale that was included as a pilot test for future research studies regarding Media
The study’s empirical foundations can be found in various studies revolving around the rise in media use and trends in negative correlations between media multitasking. In one such study, Rideout and Feohr reported that about 39% of 8 to 18 year olds reported owning cell phones whereas in 2009, over 66% reported owning cell phones. The scientists predicted with the increased availability and advancement of media devices, the trend will continue to rise exponentially. In 2010, Rideout attempted to link the frequency of media consumption with scholastic performance, boredom and depression. To empirically study media multitasking, Ophir, Nass, and Wagner developed the Media Multitasking Index (MMI) to evaluated self-reported media multitasking across various mediums. The findings of this study yielded interesting, yet counter-intuitive results. In the study, Heavy Media Multitaskers (HMMs; i.e., individuals scoring over one standard deviation above the mean on the MMI) showed a greater ability to deploy their attention more broadly at the expense of detail, and their Light Media Multitasker (LMMs; i.e., individuals scoring over one standard deviation below the mean on the MMI) counterparts showed a greater predisposition to utilize top-down attentional control and a narrower focus of attention. Contrary to intuition, LMMs showed a greater ability to ignore distracting information (Cain and Mitroff, 2011). Other empirical foundational studies include studies performed by Sanbonmatsu Straver, Medeiros-Ward, and Watson (2013); Alzhabi and Becker (2013); and Minear Brasher, McCurdy, Lewis and Younggren (2013). The purpose of Ralph, Thompson, Cheyne, and Smilek’s study was to explore possible associations between media multitasking and self-reported attentional functioning in everyday life; namely lapses of attention and attention-related cognitive errors, spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering, and attention control. The general hypothesis of the study is that repeatedly, and concurrently engaging in multiple streams of media may atrophy the internal control mechanisms and possibly increase the likely of environmental impact on the natural control of attention. The scientists …show more content…
The MMI served as an indication of the level of media multitasking the individual is engaged in during a typical media-consumption hour. The MAAS-LO assesses the frequency with which an individual experiences lapses of attention in everyday situations. The ARCES evaluates cognitive failures in everyday situations for which lapses of attention are the most likely cause. The MFS measures everyday memory failures that are minimally explained by attentional errors. The MW-S and MW-D measure the self-reported everyday mind wandering with higher scores reflecting a greater tendency to mind wandering whether spontaneously or deliberately. The AC-S and AC-D presents four distraction situations and measured the responses on a five-point Likert scale with higher scores reflecting greater distractibility. The MMBQ is a 24-item scale that was included as a pilot test for future research studies regarding Media