Media Multitasking and Its Effect on Multisensory Integration

Abstract

The present study examined media multitasking and its potential benefit of multisensory integration. Prior research on media multitasking have found that heavy media multitasking is associated with a wider breadth of attention. Research have also found spreading attention across sensory modalities may be more beneficial to detect multisensory stimuli and enhance perception of the environment. Included in the final analyses were 40 (10 men and 30 women) undergraduate college students. Participants completed three questionnaires including the media use questionnaire and completed two psychological assessments to investigate the two extreme media groups and multisensory integration. Collected data were analyzed with a series of 2 (Group: HMM versus LMM) x 2 (Condition: VSAT Trial 2 versus VSAT Trial 3) ANOVAs as well as 2 (Group: HMM versus LMM) x 2 (Condition: LGME Eyes Open versus LGME Eyes Closed) ANOVAs. Results showed that there were no significant difference between the two extreme media groups or between MMI scores and conditions, demonstrating that both groups have similar breadth of attention and did not benefit from either conditions.