What’s automaticity?

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Automaticity is the degree of aptitude shown by an individual to perform common tasks without having to use a great deal of concentration or effort. By employing spontaneity and the ability to move forward on impulse, automaticity adds richness to interacting with others and being productive during your waking hours. While the individual is aware of the activity at some level, it is also possible to focus on other activities at the same time. The ability to multitask is only possible due to the human ability to perform spontaneous actions with a minimum of self-regulation required.

The easiest way to understand automaticity is to think about everyday tasks that are often performed simultaneously. For example, a teenager who is able to listen to music while also doing a homework task is multitasking by focusing a small amount of attention on each task, rather than devoting all of his or her attention to one task. Another common scenario would be adults carrying on a conversation while driving a vehicle. One part of the psyche handles the driving process while another part engages in verbal discussion.

Part of the process for developing automaticity involves learning and mastering how to perform various tasks. When learning to drive a car, the student devotes more of his attention to the activity. Once the individual has mastered the art of driving, the task does not require the same level of effort or concentration. As the task begins to take on a more involuntary nature, you may be able to engage in other activities at the same time, such as singing along to the radio, talking on your cell phone, or enjoying a conversation with the passengers in the vehicle.

It is important to note that it is only when the tasks at hand can be performed without great concentration that automaticity exists. This state can only be achieved by engaging in a learning process that is reinforced with a great deal of repetition and practice. As the details of the task are assimilated and become routine, proficiency is developed to the point where it is possible to engage in the task with little or no conscious thought.

Automaticity plays a role in helping people perform routine and repetitive tasks in the workplace, such as spending the day with data entry or assembly line work. This ability to devote some mental and physical capacity to more than one task ensures that it is possible to remain mentally clear rather than getting bored with the job and possibly starting to make mistakes. From this point of view, automaticity can be considered essential to maintain productivity.

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