Me and Chat GPT: Multitasking

Some time ago, I started worrying about keeping focused while preparing my lectures. I couldn't keep working for more than ten to fifteen minutes before "getting tired" and having to interrupt my work.

At first, I blamed age; I thought, "This happens when you get old."

Things changed when inspired by Johann Hari's book, "Stolen Focus." I muted all alarms from WhatsApp and social media and decided only to check them twice or thrice daily. Since then, I can continuously work and focus for more than 3 to 4 hours without a break.

Multitasking is one of the greatest enemies of focusing.

The only activity I can do while preparing my lectures is listening to music; instead of distracting me, it helps me focus more.

Since writing and listening to music is considered multitasking, I decided to chat about it with my new friend "Chat GPT" :-)

Following is my conversation:

ME: It is known that multitasking is bad for focusing. Am I correct?

Chat GPT: Yes, you are correct. Multitasking, or trying to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, can have a negative impact on focus and productivity. Studies have shown that multitasking can lead to a decrease in efficiency, increase the likelihood of errors, and impair cognitive function. This is because our brains are not well-suited to handle multiple tasks at once. Instead, they work more effectively when focusing on one task at a time. To improve focus and productivity, it is generally better to prioritize tasks and work on them one at a time, giving each your full attention.

ME Thanks. What about listening to music when you want to focus? Would this be multitasking?

Chat GPT: Listening to music while working or studying can be considered a form of multitasking, as it requires your brain to process auditory information along with the primary task. However, the impact of music on focus and productivity can vary depending on the individual and the type of music being played.

For some people, listening to music can help create a more pleasant and motivating work environment, which may lead to improved focus and productivity. Instrumental or ambient music, for example, can help some individuals concentrate better by providing a consistent background noise that blocks out distractions.

On the other hand, listening to music with lyrics or complex arrangements might be distracting for some people, as it can compete for cognitive resources and make it more challenging to concentrate on the primary task.

In summary, whether listening to music while working or studying is beneficial or detrimental depends on personal preferences and the type of music being played. To determine what works best for you, try experimenting with different music styles and observe how they affect your focus and productivity.

ME: Can you give me some references for your two previous answers?

Chat GPT: Certainly! Here are some references that support the information provided in my previous responses.

1. Multitasking and its negative effects on focus:

• Meyer, D. E., & Kieras, D. E. (1997). A computational theory of executive cognitive processes and multiple-task performance: Part 1. Basic mechanisms. Psychological Review, 104(1), 3-65.
• Rubinstein, J. S., Meyer, D. E., & Evans, J. E. (2001). Executive control of cognitive processes in task switching. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 27(4), 763-797.
• Salvucci, D. D., & Taatgen, N. A. (2008). Threaded cognition: An integrated theory of concurrent multitasking. Psychological Review, 115(1), 101-130.

1. Listening to music and its effects on focus:

• Lesiuk, T. (2005). The effect of music listening on work performance. Psychology of Music, 33(2), 173-191.
• K?mpfe, J., Sedlmeier, P., & Renkewitz, F. (2011). The impact of background music on adult listeners: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Music, 39(4), 424-448.
• Avila, C., Furnham, A., & McClelland, A. (2012). The influence of distracting familiar vocal music on cognitive performance of introverts and extraverts. Psychology of Music, 40(1), 84-93.

These references provide information on multitasking's negative effects on focus and the impact of music on productivity. Please note that some of these studies might have different conclusions, as the effects of music on focus can vary depending on individual preferences and the type of music being played.

#focus #multitasking #ophthalmology #PAAO #ophthalmologyfoundation #AAO