Digital technology helps
us perform many tasks—
often at the same time.
But is it affecting our
ability to think clearly?
Unit 6B
97
David Strayer never texts or talks on a phone when he is
driving. Strayer is a cognitive psychologist1 at the University
of Utah who specializes in attention. His research shows
that, when driving, using a phone can be as dangerous as
drinking alcohol.
Strayer and other scientists warn against multitasking.
When we do many things at the same time, Strayer says,
our brain becomes tired easily. We make mistakes and lose
focus. Yet multitasking is increasingly common, especially
on a phone or computer. Dr. Gloria Mark, a digital media
researcher, has found that people in the United States
switch tasks on their computers 566 times a day. This type
of multitasking is especially common among teenagers. On
average, a teenager spends between 7 and 11 hours a day
in front of a screen—doing homework, texting, watching
videos—often all at the same time.
Phones, tablets, and laptops are all useful tools, and we
may feel more productive when we use them. However,
when we spend hours on digital devices—constantly
switching between activities—our overall productivity
decreases. Why?
Many digital activities require high levels of
concentration. When we text or email someone, for
example, or even play games, we have to focus. When we
do this, our brain uses energy. When we multitask—
which is hard for the brain to do—we use even more
energy.
Excessive multitasking reduces our ability to think clearly
and creatively, and to remember information. This, in
turn, can result in stress.
What is the best cure for our overstressed minds?
David Strayer says the answer is simple: Spend some
time in nature.
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DISTRACTION
1 A cogni tive psychologi st studies t he mind and how we learn and
remember information.
