Multitasking

Abstract

We examine how multitasking affects performance. We also examine whether individuals optimally choose their degree of multitasking or whether they perform better under an externally imposed schedule. Subjects in our experiment perform two different tasks according to one of three treatments: one where they perform the tasks sequentially, one where they are forced to multitask, and one where they can freely organize their work. Subjects who are forced to multitask perform significantly worse than those forced to work sequentially. Surprisingly, subjects who can freely organize their own schedule also perform significantly worse. These results suggest that scheduling is a significant determinant of productivity. Finally, our results do not support the stereotype that women are better at multitasking. Women suffer as much as men when forced to multitask and are actually less inclined to multitask when being free to choose.

Managing the Workload: An Experiment on Individual Decision Making and Performance

“…The evidence described in Buser and Peter (2012), that working in parallel on more than one task is detrimental with respect to a sequential working rationale, is further confirmed in the field by the empirical study of Coviello et al (2015) and by the related theoretical framework in Coviello et al (2014). In particular, the authors have analysed the work schedule of the Italian judges of the Labour Court of Milan.…”

“…The paper most closely related to the present research is Buser and Peter (2012). The authors have examined, in a laboratory experiment, the effects of multitasking on the performance of subjects in two games: a word-search puzzle and Su-doku.…”

“…However, in this experiment, decisions on the time allocation are restricted and the duration of tasks are always imposed by the researchers. Given that this choice dimension is often encountered in problems of work division, and it could significantly influence the overall individual performance, this paper extends the analysis of Buser and Peter (2012), by considering contexts where time-management is not restricted. In addition, the conclusions provided by the same authors would be valid for the two-tasks case; the present research opens the set-up to the multiple-tasks framework, further enriching the analysis of such topics.…”

“…In addition, the study shows that limiting subjects' decision space by externally imposing a fixed time per task, could be an effective way to raise overall output. Notice, however, that, with the exception of Buser and Peter (2012), the evidence discussed above focuses on tasks to be completed in a long time period. In order to limit future uncertainty regarding available time for task completion, the present study focuses on shorter tasks and on a context of complete information on the total available time.…”

Startle responding in the context of visceral pain

“…If we would apply this explanation to our findings, then this would imply that esophageal pain did not reduce attention to extraneous stimuli in the women in our study, whereas it did in the men. An argument in favor of women but not men being able to simultaneously process the startle probe and the visceral stimulus, is that women generally outperform men in multitasking (Jing et al, 2012;Mäntylä, 2013;Ren et al, 2009), although not always (Buser and Peter, 2012). Men on the other hand outperform women on monitoring accuracy (Mäntylä, 2013), and early research on visceral perception also suggests men are generally more accurate perceivers of interoceptive sensations (Pennebaker and Roberts, 1992).…”