What is the definition of multitasking and can a human multitask?

Is it possible to multitask and complete more than one task at the same for humans? Make sure that multitasking is not falling you down while trying to gain some extra time.

Definition of multitasking and differences between human and computer multitasking

As a definition, human multitasking is the ability to perform more than one task or activity simultaneously. We can perform multiple tasks at the same time too often to save time in our daily lives. For example, we can write text messages on the phone while watching TV or chat with someone while driving a car. But how properly can we complete the tasks while multitasking? Are we actually saving time, or are things getting more out of the way?

Multitasking is a piece of cake for computers. You can play music, run a program, download a file and even chat with someone online at the same time. But how much human brain can handle this type of multitasking? Let's look at the investigation of experts and their results about this.

Impact of experience for improving multitasking skills

Multitask performance can be variant by the difficulty level that the human brain challenges. As an example, talking with someone while walking is an easy challenge. However, talking while driving a car is a whole different story. Driving performance could change drastically if the driver is fully concentrated on the road, which can also save lives.

When the tasks are performed over and over, they can become habitual. Like in the previous example, talking with someone while driving is not an easy task for a fresh driver. However, it shouldn't even be considered a task for an experienced driver.

According to Philosopher Damon Young -author of Distraction book- repetitive multitasks can become habitual in time. For example, many people can listen to music and read a book simultaneously without any concentrating issue.

Professor John Duncan, a behavioral neuroscientist at Cambridge University, says it is down to practice and the human brain can adapt to multitasks in time. While it can take all the focus of a fresh driver to change gear in a car, an experienced driver could change gear, talk with another person and check the mirrors simultaneously.

Multitasking is sometimes essential for some of the jobs to be qualified for. For example, most bus drivers are incredibly experienced multitaskers in Turkey by collecting money, driving, and talking simultaneously.

Is multitasking beneficial for the human body?

Humans can accomplish multitasks by their levels. It requires concentration to write an email while speaking with someone on the phone. Meanwhile, trying to read two different texts at the same time completely impossible.

When we try to accomplish tasks that our brain is not used to, we can struggle to multitask. According to Professor Gloria Mark's study from Calfornia University, when people focus on one task, they produce less work but work faster. However, when it is required to perform multiple works such as answering phones while writing mailing, people start to work slower and their stress level significantly increases. However, they produce more work in the end.

We might think that we are multitasking on some transactions, but in reality, it is not multitasking. For example, if you are reading an email and suddenly start to read a text message that you just received from your phone, this is not multitasking. You would be only switching tasks. It is literally impossible for the human brain to multitask between reading email and reading text messages.

What is the most advanced multitasking you are doing in your daily life?

Reference: BBC News - Is multi-tasking a myth?