{"id":135,"date":"2015-11-16T06:40:34","date_gmt":"2015-11-16T06:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/cognitiveneuroh\/?p=135"},"modified":"2015-11-16T06:40:34","modified_gmt":"2015-11-16T06:40:34","slug":"doing-it-all-at-once-the-myths-versus-the-realities-of-multi-tasking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/cognitiveneuroh\/2015\/11\/16\/doing-it-all-at-once-the-myths-versus-the-realities-of-multi-tasking\/","title":{"rendered":"Doing it all at Once: The Myths versus the Realities of Multi-Tasking"},"content":{"rendered":"

EXECUTIVE FUNCTION: TASK SWITCHING AND MULTI-TASKING<\/strong><\/p>\n

Executive functions serve one ultimate purpose; to conduct an individual’s most crucial cognitive processes. \u00a0The functions instruct multiple regions to perform, or be silenced, and is constantly coordinating the synchronization of activity, further optimizing an individual’s performance in the series of everyday internal and external communication and action. More specifically, is theorized to be an outcome of multiple competing biases rather than the presence of a controller. Decisions may arise out of interaction out of an interaction between bottom-up processing and top-down processing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Before delving into the functions involved with task switching multi-tasking and the potential dangers it is first imperative to establish the role of schemas within executive function. A schema, or an organized set of stored information, is essential in creating and carrying out our everyday tasks. Schemas are both constantly being created as well as automated. Due to the fact that certain schemas can become automatically retrieved, individuals are then able to task switch at a rapid rate. By definition, task switching is when one discards of a previous schema and establishes a new one. During an individual’s everyday routine, task switching is being constantly stimulated. For example, and to put it simply, an individual will focus on achieving one specific goal after another. A multi-dimensional extension of task switching, multitasking, the main subject of discussion, can be regarded as an individual maintaining future goals while current goals are being dealt with. <\/span>According to Psychology Today, there is an extensive debate regarding the validity of the term \u201cmulti-tasking.\u201d For years, researchers have been investigating whether multi-tasking is truly an ability we can cognitively balance. <\/span><\/p>\n

FOUR MAJOR AREAS INVOLVED IN TASK SWITCHING<\/strong><\/p>\n

During task switching, activity in the brain is stimulated in four major areas. <\/span>First the pre-frontal cortex, which is involved in shifting and focusing your attention, and selecting which task to do when. Next, the posterior parietal lobe activates rules for each task you switch to, the anterior cingulate gyrus monitors errors, and the pre-motor cortex is preparing for you to move in some way.<\/p>\n

\"2000px-Gray726-Brodman-prefrontal.svg\"<\/a>\"Gray726_superior_parietal_lobule\"<\/a>\"Gray727_anterior_cingulate_cortex\"\"images\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Due to the number of circuits stimulated to decode retrieved information and subsequently acted upon, multi-tasking is far less efficient than we believe is possible. Most of the time we are overestimating our multi-tasking abilities. In this clip presented below, Ellen Degeneres does a comical sketch on the \u201cChallenges of Multi-tasking.\u201d<\/p>\n

ELLEN DEGENERES: CHALLANGES OF MULTI-TASKING<\/strong><\/p>\n