Epistemic Review
Tip
The human brain is incapable of multi-tasking
Attempting to multitask results in cognitive bottlenecks, performance decrements in both the tasks due to task switching, and divided attentional resources
Cognitive bottlenecks are experienced when the brain does not have enough resources to process two tasks simultaneously. This is worse when the two tasks are similar. The brain cannot, for example, take decisions on two tasks at once. The bottlenecking results in several outcomes
- Task switching - The brain rapidly switches between the two tasks. For one moment, it pays attention to task 1 and immediately after some time, it switches to task 2, and back. This is strenuous to cognitive function because the brain’s spending extra resources on task switching that could have been used effectively on a single task
- Division in attention - Attention, and consequently, performance, is divided between the two tasks. Hence, the performance of both tasks takes a hit when attempting to multi-task, which is not a good thing
There is a psychological refractory period (PRP) of the brain, where after the first task is completed or paid attention to, and the brain switches to the second task, there is a slight “refractory period” or some cool-down time, which manifests as delays in task execution
This paper attempts to suggest methods to mechanistically explain the working of the brain during multitasking. The Theory of Event Coding (TEC) is floated as a candidate despite itself not well developed yet
When two tasks that are highly similar are being executed simultaneously, they are competing for the same brain resources. This creates cognitive bottlenecks because the brain cannot cater to both tasks at the same time with proper efficiency. Similarity creates interference
This is more nuanced though. Two similar tasks may not interfere so much if one of them is performed automatically or subconsciously (like habits). This is called automaticity