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Gepubliceerd in: Psychological Research 3/2023

04-07-2022 | Review

Individual differences in everyday multitasking behavior and its relation to cognition and personality

Auteurs: Samsad Afrin Himi, Gregor Volberg, Markus Bühner, Sven Hilbert

Gepubliceerd in: Psychological Research | Uitgave 3/2023

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Abstract

Our ability to multitask—focus on multiple tasks simultaneously—is one of the most critical functions of our cognitive system. This capability has shown to have relations to cognition and personality in empirical studies, which have received much attention recently. This review article integrates the available findings to examine how individual differences in multitasking behavior are linked with different cognitive constructs and personality traits to conceptualize what multitasking behavior represents. In this review, we highlight the methodological differences and theoretical conceptions. Cognitive constructs including executive functions (i.e., shifting, updating, and inhibition), working memory, relational integration, divided attention, reasoning, and prospective memory were investigated. Concerning personality, the traits of polychronicity, impulsivity, and the five-factor model were considered. A total of 43 studies met the inclusion criteria and entered the review. The research synthesis directs us to propose two new conceptual models to explain multitasking behavior as a psychometric construct. The first model demonstrates that individual differences in multitasking behavior can be explained by cognitive abilities. The second model proposes that personality traits constitute a moderating effect on the relation between multitasking behavior and cognition. Finally, we provide possible future directions for the line of research.
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Metagegevens
Titel
Individual differences in everyday multitasking behavior and its relation to cognition and personality
Auteurs
Samsad Afrin Himi
Gregor Volberg
Markus Bühner
Sven Hilbert
Publicatiedatum
04-07-2022
Uitgeverij
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Gepubliceerd in
Psychological Research / Uitgave 3/2023
Print ISSN: 0340-0727
Elektronisch ISSN: 1430-2772
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-022-01700-z

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