Individual differences in the ability to focus and divide attention

Lansman, Marcy; Poltrock, Steven E.; Hunt, Earl

doi:10.1016/0160-2896(83)90020-x

Cited by 67 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Although other changes may take place, there is no obvious shift in factor structure as a consequence of the altered conditions of presentation. Lansman, Poltrock, and Hunt (1983) suggested that no single study will be sufficient to either prove or disprove the existence of a timesharing factor. Their prediction is likely to prove correct: the present study is similar to the first study conducted by the author in this area.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As Lansman et al (1983) point out, there is a great deal of variability in the way different individuals approach the same competing task, and also in the way a given individual approaches different tasks. It is hardly possible for a timesharing factor to reflect a common approach to the problem.…”

Section: Defining the Nature Of A Timesharing Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This lack of predictability makes them a particularly difficult subject for research. Lansman, Poltrock, and Hunt (1983) go so far as to state that, with unpracticed subjects, ability to perform two tasks simultaneously is specific to the particular combination of tasks employed.…”

Section: Introduction Existing Empirical Support For a Timesharing Famentioning

confidence: 99%

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Timesharing in relation to broad ability domains

Fogarty

1987

Intelligence

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The concept of a timesharing ability has been the subject of considerable interest in recent times. The present study set out to determine whether a timesharing factor can be identified when a number of competing tasks are presented in the midst of a range of single tests designed to sample a broad range of psychological dimensions. Evidence for the existence of such a factor would form an important addition to our knowledge of human cognitive functioning.The framework for the study was provided by the theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence. A battery of single and competing tasks was presented to 126 subjects. The competing tasks represented a variety of within-and across-factor combinations from different levels of the (Gf/Gc) hierarchy. Modality of presentation was also varied in some combinations. On the basis of evidence presented in this study, it would be premature to seek to include a timesharing factor in the (Gf/Gc) model of intelligence.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Defining the Nature Of A Timesharing Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

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Timesharing in relation to broad ability domains

Fogarty

1987

Intelligence

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“…Individuals in MT situations often must rapidly engage and disengage attention to multiple information inputs as the situation demands (Wickens, 1999). Early research has demonstrated that the ability to switch attention (a) has external validity with other complex, multicomponent tasks like aircraft piloting and bus driving (Gopher, 1982;Gopher & Kahneman, 1971;Kahneman, Ben-Ishai, & Lotan, 1973), (b) includes both general and modality specific characteristics (Lansman, Poltrock, & Hunt, 1983), (c) functions in the processing of externally and internally derived sources of information (Hunt, 1986), and (d) is implicated in working memory control processes (Carlson, Sullivan, & Wenger, 1993). Of particular note is the research by Gopher (1982) in which an attention switching measure was incorporated into an already established pilot selection battery that included other measures of attention.…”

Section: Working Memory Capacitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Multi-tasking Ability

Fischer¹,

Morrin²,

Joslyn³

2003

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Public reponring burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching e0Msbng data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number, PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)2. REPORT SPONSORING i MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S)Office of Naval Research Ballston Tower One While multi-tasking (MT) may increase productivity, it also carries a tremendous downside including error, decreased morale, high training costs, high turnover rates, and attrition. This research shows that it is now possible to develop a test that would measure how individuals vary in their ability to concurrently perform multiple tasks under time limited conditions. The purposes of the present research were to (1) investigate complex real-world MT environments, (2) investigate existing measures of MT, and (3) begin development of a practical test of the ability. Current standards for educational and psychological tests served to guide the process of test development. Based on testing standards, a plan for development of an MT ability test was created. The initial phases of test development were also completed. The purpose, scope, and framework for the test are described in the report and the test specifications currently supported by empirical research are also given. This report also describes the additional research necessary for further development of a test of MT ability. SUBJECT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis research has greatly benefited from the contributions of several individuals. We would first like to thank the project's program officer, Susan Chipman for her continuing pursuit of a robust test of multi-tasking ability. Science is only beginning to understand the ability to concurrently perform multiple tasks in complex real-world settings. A reliable and predictive measure of the individual differences that underlie performance in laboratory and real-world multi-tasking environments would greatly promote both scientific and applied interests. Susan Chipman's continued interest in multi-tasking has made this project a reality, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to knowledge about this topic. We would also like to thank her for her insights about multi-tasking, directing us to important literature areas, and her able managem...

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“…In addition, because correlations between performance measures in a divided-attention condition were no different from correlations between the performance measures in a single-task condition, Lansman, Poltrock, and Hunt (1983) concluded that performance in a situation that requires division of attention is determined almost entirely by one's ability to deal with a single task.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Aging and time-sharing aspects of executive control

Salthouse

Miles

2002

Memory & Cognition

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A particularly important aspect of executive functioning involves the ability to coordinate two simultaneous activities.The role of this aspect of executive functioning in adult-age differencesin cognitive performance was examined in a study involving 150 adults between 20 and 91 years of age who performed the same visual-motor tracking task with three different primary tasks. The participants also performed several additional cognitive tasks that allowed examination of the relation of time-sharing efficiency to other types of cognitive functioning. The results were consistent with the existence of a distinct timesharing ability because the time-sharing costs in the three dual-task combinations were significantly correlated with one another but only weakly correlated with other cognitive variables. Increased age was associated with reductions in time-sharing ability, and greater efficiency in performing two tasks at once was associated with better performance on tasks assessing spatial, reasoning, and memory abilities. Although this pattern is what one would expect if executive processes contribute to age differences in cognitive functioning, the effects were smaller than those associated with a perceptual speed construct.

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Individual differences in the ability to focus and divide attention

Cited by 67 publications

References 9 publications

Timesharing in relation to broad ability domains

Timesharing in relation to broad ability domains

Measuring Multi-tasking Ability

Aging and time-sharing aspects of executive control

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