Post date: Nov 19, 2015 6:24:45 PM
Examining the Relationship Between Media Multitasking and Working Memory
Christopher Koch & Mary Kate Koch
Abstract: Ophir, Nass, and Wagner (2009) found that individuals who multitask more do not necessarily multitask well. Minear et al. (2013) examined the relationships between media multitasking, attention, working memory, self-control and fluid intelligence. They found that high multitaskers reported being more impulsive and did not perform as well on fluid intelligence tasks. However, they did not find evidence to support the idea that high media multitaskers make more task switching errors than low media multitaskers. The present study further examined the relationship between working memory and multitasking. Participants completed the Media Multitasking Index (MMI), Working Memory Questionnaire (WMQ), short version of the IPIP big five personality traits, Beck's Depression Inventory, a perceived control measure, and a questionnaire about recreation. The results show a number of interesting correlations. For instance, working memory errors were negatively correlated with several personality factors but not with multitasking. Although agreeableness was also correlated with media multitasking, WMQ scores were not related to media multitasking. Recreation, however, was indirectly related to both multitasking and working memory.