Study: Multi-Screening Can Impact Memory Quality

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Many of us, maybe most of us, often look at our cellphones or laptops while watching TV. Researchers at Stanford University have identified a link between multi-screening and memory loss.

The volunteers measured their brain activity and pupil size while performing various screen-based tasks and memory tests.

They also completed a questionnaire to measure how often they engaged in multi-screening, as well as identifying other psychological traits such as the length of their attention span, and impulsivity.

"Increased alpha strength in the back of your skull has been linked to attention distortion, mind wandering, distraction, and so on," explained lead study author Kevin Madore, a Stanford postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford Memory Lab.

"We also know that narrowing of the pupil diameter - especially before you perform a different task - is associated with performance failures such as slower reaction times and more mind wandering."

He stressed that while his team had identified an association between memory failure and this multi-screening, it was too early to say that one must have caused the other.

"We cannot say that heavier media multitasking causes difficulty with sustained attention and memory failure," said Dr Madore, "although we are learning more and more about the direction of the interaction."

His colleague Anthony Wagner added: “As we navigate our lives, we experience periods where we are frustrated that we are unable to bring knowledge to mind, expressing what we know.

"Fortunately, science now has tools that allow us to explain why someone, over time, might fail to remember something that's stored in their memory."

In the long term, Wagner and Madore say, this research could be used to design wearable eye sensors that measure concentration and distraction.

"We have the opportunity now," said Dr. Wagner, "to explore and understand how the interactions between brain networks that support attention, goal use and memory relate to individual differences in memory in older adults, both independent, and in relation to individual differences in memory in older adults. Alzheimer's disease. "

However, at this time, no one could avoid multi-screening. However, with cell phones offering so many entertainment options, it's hard to stay focused on just one thing. It's very tempting to check out IMDb to see other films starring your favorite stars, right?