Multitasking is doing multiple things at once, often encouraged in offices and schools. Studies show mixed results, with some tasks benefiting from multitasking while others suffer. The term originated in the tech sector to describe computers, but now refers to humans. While multitasking can be efficient, it can also have hidden costs, such as errors and decreased quality. It is a necessary skill in many industries and for students, but careful vetting of work is important to ensure high quality.
Multitasking is the act of doing multiple things at once. It is often encouraged among office workers and students, because multitasking is thought to be more efficient than focusing on a single task at the same time. There have been a number of studies on multitasking, with mixed results. It would seem that in some cases multitasking is indeed an effective way to spend time, while in other cases the quality of work suffers due to the division of attention.
The term first emerged in the technology sector, to describe a computer’s single central processing unit that performs multiple tasks. Early computers were only able to perform one function at a time, albeit sometimes very quickly. Later computers were capable of running a large assortment of programs; in fact, your computer is multitasking right now as it runs your web browser and any other programs you may have open, along with core programs that launch every time you log into your operating system.
In the late 1990s, people started using “multitasking” to describe human beings, especially in office environments. A secretary could be said to be multitasking when she is answering the phone, answering emails, generating a report and editing a letter all at the same time. The human mind’s ability to focus on multiple tasks at once is pretty amazing; the American Psychological Association calls it the “executive control” of the brain. Executive control allows the brain to delegate tasks as it sorts through material and determines the best way to process it.
While making multiple things at once seems more efficient on the surface, it can come with hidden costs. Some higher-order complex tasks, for example, require full brain function; most people wouldn’t want brain surgeons to multitask, for example. Insufficient attention can cause errors while multitasking and switching between different content and media formats can also have a detrimental effect.
A certain amount of multitasking has become necessary and expected in many industries, and job seekers often list the ability to multitask as a skill on their resumes. Students also find this skill very valuable, as it allows them to take notes while processing lecture information or work on assignments for one course while thinking about another. When you decide to multitask, be sure to vet your work carefully, to make sure it is of high quality, and consider giving up multitasking for certain tasks if you notice a decline.
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