The short answer: unfortunately, not as good as we think we are… Over the past few years, some research has helped us to better discern between reality and myth regarding our ability to multitask. Here are the most enlightening ones. Attentional blink
In 2005, Sergeant, Baillet and Dehaene unveiled the cerebral mechanisms involved in attentional blinking, a phenomenon — comparable to the blink of an eye — of temporary, unconscious and repetitive interruption of our attention. This attentional blink means that when our attention shifts quickly from one task to another, we are more likely to ignore information than when we are focused on a single task. These researchers have calculated that at least 0.25 seconds are required for the brain to record and manipulate the sensory information needed to complete each task.
Tags: Articles • Catherine Meilleur