The psychology behind multi-tasking?

Question

Can it really be done successfully?
Do the tasks if done frequently enough together be treated as one (how much so?).
Could you explain precognitive planning?
Personal accounts are also welcome.

Answer 1

nice question, but it seems that some people didn't get it...

taking driving as an example, it is obvious that as a beginner you need a huge amount of attention, but as an experienced driver, you can have a deep conversation while driving without even remembering the past ten minutes of driving while having that conversation.
this shows that you can start doing tasks simultaneously as soon as they don't require your ATTENTION anymore.

according to neuroscience, things are conscious when you point your attention to them. and consciousness actually has a very limited processing power, i.e. you can only focus on one or two things at a time, because your brain is busy controlling every single move you make (beginners are likely to make mistakes), being ready to react upon unforeseen changes and correct the specific movement to re-achieve the desired goal (staying on the road).

your unconscious instead can process much more information at a time. so if you "internalize" certain tasks and learn them well enough, your consciousness will have enough capacity left to concentrate on other things - for example reacting upon problems that occur while your unconscious mind is doing five other things...

unfortunately, i have no idea what precognitive planning is...

Answer 2

Chefs are always multi tasking. My day began in the following fashion. I heated my soup on the stove, drained my sliced potatoes over the sink, made someone a toasted sandwich, cut up some cauliflower and broccoli, combined the ingredients for my pasta starter whilst mulling over my vegetarian option. I stirred my pans, sealed my potatoes in the fryer and went to the linen store for cloths. I washed my sinks, put my cauliflower and broccoli in the steamer, set the sinks filling with cold water and discussed customer numbers for the next few days with the head chef, then plunged my vegetables into cold water to refresh and took my fridge temperatures whilst they did so. It is all one task; the task being running a section in a kitchen.
If precognitive planning is the same as anticipating events then we do that also. We anticipate that a proportion of customers in a party not asking for vegetables will later decide they want them and so on.

Answer 3

its been a long time since i studied psychology, but speaking from a woman's' perspective, i can multitask without thinking about it. i have 4 children, i run the house, i take on the responsibility and I'm efficient. i think its just a basic natural instinct for women. just like mans' instinct is to provide for his family ie: hunter gatherer. maybe from a psychological view its conditioning and how you have been brought. my hubby was brought up believing male was the dominant role. but that's because his father has always held traditional beliefs. times and roles are changing, so i suspect because of this, psychology and sociology studies change also. sorry i can't give a more concrete answer. but psychology isn't a true science anyway.

Answer 4

can anything really be done successfully? who determines if it's a success or not?why do the tasks have to be done frequently,isn't once enough if done right? LOL

Answer 5

My definition of Multi-tasking = getting your staff to do double ( or more ) the work - to cut costs and save employing more staff - make them believe that they are more important to the company because you are relying on them to complete all this important work you have piled on to them.. eg: pretend you are a contact centre and not a call centre. that will make them answer the phones - as well as doing the associated paper work ..and any other demeaning job you can think off...2 sugars and milk please ..and don't forget the biscuits...

Answer 6

There's absolutely no psychology except the psychology of fear of losing one's job if one doesn't multi-task.

Answer 7

Yes
Yes, becomes second nature
No

Multi-tasking to me is when i do the washing-up whilst the dinner is cooking.
Or i do some gardening online (a game) whilst filing my paperwork.