5C. Divided Attention

• What is the concept of divided attention?

  Divided attention refers to the ability to multitask and purposefully divide our attention.
• Why can some tasks be easier to multitask than others?

  Some tasks are easier to multitask because they require fewer cognitive resources.
• What makes some tasks harder to attend to than others?

  Tasks are harder to attend to when they require more cognitive resources than are available.
• What is required for a task to be possible?

  A task is only possible when we have the resources to carry it out.
• What happens when two tasks require more resources than are available?

  When two tasks require more resources than are available, divided attention will fail.
• How do similar tasks affect multitasking?

  Similar tasks have overlapping resources, making it difficult to multitask as they compete for the same resources.
• Why can dissimilar tasks be performed together more easily?

  Dissimilar tasks can be performed together because they use different resources.
• At what level is attention allocation made?

  Attention allocation is made at a neural level.
• What was the purpose of the study by Allport, Antonis & Reynolds (1972)?

  The study aimed to investigate how participants divided their attention between two different stimuli.
• What were participants asked to do in the Allport, Antonis & Reynolds (1972) study?

  Participants were asked to repeat words heard in one ear while listening to a second stimulus.
• What was the outcome of the study regarding the second stimulus?

  Participants were told there was no response required to the second stimulus but were asked to recall it later.
• Why do dissimilar tasks like driving and talking on the phone still cause problems with divided attention?

  Both tasks are highly cognitively demanding and likely exceed available resources despite little overlap.