Cognitive Predictors of a Common Multitasking Ability: Contributions From Working Memory, Attention Control, and Fluid Intelligence

Previous research has identified several cognitive abilities that are important for multitasking, but few studies have attempted to measure a general multitasking ability using a diverse set of multitasks. In the final dataset, 534 young adult subjects completed measures of working memory (WM), atte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of experimental psychology. General 2016-11, Vol.145 (11), p.1473-1492
Main Authors: Redick, Thomas S, Shipstead, Zach, Meier, Matthew E, Montroy, Janelle J, Hicks, Kenny L, Unsworth, Nash, Kane, Michael J, Hambrick, D. Zachary, Engle, Randall W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aptitude
Attention
Auditory Perception
Cognition
Cognitive ability
Control
Female
Fluid Intelligence
Human
Humans
Intelligence
Male
Memory
Memory, Short-Term
Multitasking
Problem Solving
Psychology
Psychomotor Performance
Reaction Time
Saccades
Short Term Memory
Space Perception
Visual Perception
Young Adult
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Summary:Previous research has identified several cognitive abilities that are important for multitasking, but few studies have attempted to measure a general multitasking ability using a diverse set of multitasks. In the final dataset, 534 young adult subjects completed measures of working memory (WM), attention control, fluid intelligence, and multitasking. Correlations, hierarchical regression analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, structural equation models, and relative weight analyses revealed several key findings. First, although the complex tasks used to assess multitasking differed greatly in their task characteristics and demands, a coherent construct specific to multitasking ability was identified. Second, the cognitive ability predictors accounted for substantial variance in the general multitasking construct, with WM and fluid intelligence accounting for the most multitasking variance compared to attention control. Third, the magnitude of the relationships among the cognitive abilities and multitasking varied as a function of the complexity and structure of the various multitasks assessed. Finally, structural equation models based on a multifaceted model of WM indicated that attention control and capacity fully mediated the WM and multitasking relationship.
ISSN:0096-3445
1939-2222
DOI:10.1037/xge0000219