How do you focus? Can you multitask?

[yssie]

From NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/07/technology/20100607-distraction-filtering-demo.html



I am apparently easily distracted - especially when there are many distractions, but can switch between tasks quickly and accurately

 

[Arkteia]

My ADHD was so bad that I started the test without getting to the end of instructions but when I finally did, I performed very well on both distractions and multitasking.

 

[Cehrabehra]

I don''t know how to interpret the results... I got 100% on the 2 distractions and 92% on the 6 distractions...

 

[Cehrabehra]

Okay doing the 2nd test in a room where an 18 year old, a 15 year old, and an 8 year old holding a cat who is only half interested in being held while all are watching an anime movie loudly in japanese while they''re discussing the story does NOT produce good results lol

 

[Cehrabehra]

I think I did well - which is highly ironic - but I can''t interpret the speed one - is that really good or really bad?

I started it again after I told the kids to be quiet - the one I got wrong I know exactly which it is because I got distracted by my brother moving a cat toy and in an instant I was like oh crap number or letter... then I chose and as soon as I did the recall part of my brain answered and said no dummy that was wrong and I had to force myself to quickly let go so I wouldn''t screw up any more.

Something is wrong with this test though because I suck at multitasking and my focus is crap and I don''t switch between tasks easily. But I am intelligent and I think that overrode this test lol

 

[Sizzle]

I am so used to multi-tasking, that I have lost the ablity to single task.

 

[Haven]

I scored 100% correct with both two distractions and six. I am NOT a multitasker, and never have been.

 

[Maria D]

First test, I am very good at focusing apparently. 100% correct whether 2 or 6 "distractions."

Here is what I have to say about the second test.
--it looks as though I''m even slower at switching tasks than my daughter accuses me of
--using the keyboard arrows (as opposed to mouse and screen cursor) is a lot faster, duh!
--practice makes perfect, as evidenced by the fact that on my 6th try my scores were just where I wanted them!

 

[aliciagirl]

I apparently have better focus with more distractions? Odd, but kind of makes sense considering my everyday job and the need for good focus. 92% correct with 2 distractions and 100% correct with 6 distractions. I''m also slow at juggling tasks, apparently.

Interesting link!

 

[elrohwen]

I scored 100% on both of the focusing tasks. My scores on the speed to switch between tasks was ok - not fantastic. I think I''m a very good multitasker for the most part, so I was surprised that I did better on the focusing test and less well on the speed test.

Though I found it interesting that the first test was very visual and spacial - both things that I am good at. The second test used a totally different part of the brain (reading, interpreting) which made it less intuitive and required more conscious thought for me.

 

[Shoopy]

I recently learned how much stress can affect your concentration. When I had to see a therapist for my anxiety he had me go through an exercise to test my concentration and memory. Memory was great as it always had been but I could not subtract 7 from 100 without seriously thinking about it. Math is my strongest area. I have a BBA in accounting and MBA in finance and could not figure out 100-7

. When I finally got it, he had me subtract 7 again. I went 100, 93, 81

. Unbelievable.

Anyway, I scored 83% when there were 2 distracting blue rectangles and 100% when there were 6 distracting blue rectangles.

 

[luckynumber]

i also got 100% on the distractions test, but was waaaaay slow on the switching test.

yep, NOT a multitasker!