By When it comes to human performance, especially the one regarding the brain, modern man believes multitasking is they key to success. It is a known fact that modern computers and even gadgets have this ability to multitask, but is this capacity resembled in the human brain?
Using advanced neuroscience research, scientists were able to prove that the human brain is unable to multitask and any attempt in doing so can seriously damage the outcome of the tasks at hand.
As it was scientifically explained, the human brain can be compared to a sequential processor that is unable to redirect attention between two or more tasks. This may represent a problem, given that various modern job descriptions require the employees to multitask. In doing so, the subject is bound to have a reduced productivity and also commit mistakes.
The scientists that conducted the research acknowledge that basic tasks like walking and talking simultaneously is a form of multitasking that the human brain is capable of doing, but this cannot be done at a higher level. Using this particular example, scientists explained that the talking would stop when the brain must calculate steps while walking around a pothole. It is the human brain’s natural ability to focus on one task at a time in order to have the best results possible.
Even with all the facts presented, some people still believe that they are substantially more productive while multitasking. As it turns out, this represents an illusion generated by the big amount of resources used by the brain. When multitasking, a lot of physical and mental energy is consumed, giving the illusion of increased productivity.
Studies so far show that while multitasking, any subject is 50% slower and 50% less accurate. Some people believe that multitasking saves time. This is not true whatsoever as multitasking consumes and wastes a lot of time. In reality, human brain does not multitask (simply because it wasn’t designed to), the brain just switches attention between tasks. Each switch consumes energy, resources and requires time in order to refocus and adjust.