What multitasking does to your brain | BBC Ideas

In life, there is always so much to do... but is multitasking the answer? Can we really multitask? Here's what goes on in our brains when we try, and why multitasking (mostly) doesn't work.
Made in partnership with the Open University by Mosaic Films.
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#bbcideas #multitasking

[@everest1132]

Im taking the first steps of stopping multitasking by watching a youtube video without reading the comments :D

[@angtongteron199]

😂😂😂

[@khaleesiy.7886]

😂😂😂😃😆

[@komalsidhu3910]

😂😂me reading your comment 1 minute 5 seconds into the video

[@DelimiterFrameworks]

Mission failed!!!

[@tadi.]

Haha nice one

[@shadfrigui]

Multitasking = Switch tasking. The problem is that many recruiters still consider multitasking as a preferred qualification.

[@cwcpants140]

If you’re switching tasks, you’re doing one at a time, even if its for a couple seconds each. Thus, not multi tasking.

[@erickmatiasperez]

Totally agree with you, that´s why I am here watching this video but because my work I all the time feel the needs to be multitasking reading a book and listening music, I don´t know if that´s ok but I feel good like that.

[@Yetaxa]

@@cwcpants140 that is in fact considered multi tasking

[@kikenaround]

Exactly! I never understood the issue behind it until I understood it took on an involuntary role as well! This is why semantics need to be emphasized

[@PracticalInspiration]

Multitasking generally doesn't work, rather it's better to have complete focus on a specific task for set times

[@mstwelvedeadlycyns]

True

[@bhuppidhamii]

true!!!

[@ilkhgs]

Drummer who sings. Explain please... The little drummer who could.

[@desmondenglish3458]

public schools: I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that

[@DivineAtheistWannabe]

I think it's possible to multitask if you are very well skilled in one thing to the point where it's automatic and you don't actually have to concentrate or think about it.

[@bucnner]

I agree. Habitual actions are very simple. We "subconsciously" know what steps to take and what the end result should be. On the other hand, multitasking would not be good for activities that require intense/hands-on attention and decision making.

[@phatphapvobien01]

you're right, for example driving

[@zed_morpheus]

Yeah l can dream while writing something

[@cspartz]

I can wax someone’s body hair while having a conversation. The minute the conversation gets too interesting I do find myself pausing

[@ivannas5540]

That's the thing though, at some point those actions did require focused attention and controlled processing to effectively learn them and it's only with practice and repetition that you get good at them/learnt them over time. That is why that very fact is mentioned in the video, because multitasking is really only possible when something does not require your complete focused attention anymore, and so multitasking as a means of completing two tasks that require your attention for the sake of being more productive or saving upp time is itself a myth.

[@mariaelena3016]

I hope the directors in my job can watch and get the point of this video and understand this scientific studio. Thanks BBC Ideas. 🙂

[@arghyachakraborty]

So much great information in so little time! Wow!

[@bbcideas]

Thanks! 😊

[@therealko7013]

As a ex drug addict , this the hardest thing that I’ve tried too get back too normal . My focus feels like it’s almost disappeared thank you for this it shows me how too counter it ina alotta ways . Cause I often get so flustered I don’t see what’s right infront of me .

[@jackwhite438]

Sorry to hear that bro . I hope for fast recovery for you 🙏🏼

[@jesusizhere]

Thank you for making and publishing this video. :)

[@cwcpants140]

Ive been telling people you cannot truly multi task for years. Best you can do is switch attention rapidly, but that rewires the brain to be ADHD thru neuroplasticity. However i didnt know about music/reading going together, but this makes a LOT of sense with how many of the “lofi hiphop beats to study/relax to” channels there are! Ty!

[@arpitkumar4525]

Does it? That explains my very poor attention. I couldn't even count 7 balls bouncing inside the circle let alone notice that dinosaur or any other thing. I counted 9. And I have about 2 symptoms of ADHD.

[@cspartz]

I would like to read more about this. How fascinating

[@themathwizard]

Loved the message hated the video. Thank you for the information. Much appreciated

[@wfberkhof]

It is not totally possible to listen to music and read a book at the same time. Both the reading and the listening to the lyrics use your phonological loop, so you will keep switching tasks and cannot do both consciously at the same time. It works the same way as their example of visual overload.

[@williamkoscielniak820]

What if the music is entirely instrumental?

[@wfberkhof]

@@williamkoscielniak820 Yes, instrumental music does not lead to unconscious vocalisation and does not use the phonological loop. So that would work.

[@mojamoja3962]

Could have said, 'You can be reading a book while hearing music' 💯

[@nonyobisniss7928]

@@wfberkhof I've generally never paid attention to lyrics when listening to music.

[@arantxa6728]

Your video has good quality, also the tips are very good congratulations keep helping the planet

[@harshalbhanarkar]

Appreciate your good work

[@abood19901990]

Reading comments while watching the video is multitasking ! Stop reading! Watch.

[@reds9921]

Sadly many companies practice multitasking, sometimes a requirement.

[@manvasanai2716]

Thank you so much for this information 😊😊🙏

[@bbcideas]

Thanks for watching!

[@Isa7design]

1:53 I imagined the situation of an equilibrist, they work very hard to get done on balance the dishes or to not let fall the balls. Therefore they can do things simultaneously because they work and practice on it, right?

[@jonettheonly]

3:03 try telling that to your employer.

[@Miller4731]

I'm really a monotasking person, I focus a lot in one thing at the time, and I don't know how to tell my brother I don't want to change that, he use to be a soldier, and also a waiter, now he is a phd in phylosophy of law, he is very good at multitasking, he finished his master degree while working at a office, running a business and having a really demanding girlfriend and he criticise my way of developing at everything, like studying (I study pure math and physics) or washing dishes, or cooking, (also my mother is really good at multitasking and think the same as my brother that I should not be a monotasking), since I can't talk and do something else at the same time. Also I'm very slow, I tend to overthink everything.

[@therebelreem4819]

If ur brother and mother can do than u can also as a matter of fact every woman had to do multitask as cooking cleaning child look after in Pakistan look after parents in law

[@oceanthresher6184]

Every study on the topic: “Humans objectively can’t multitask efficiently.” Employers: “We don’t care.”

[@blackbird1320]

exactly!!! this is the major problem. make this video for employers!

[@thozamilemaqungo2149]

Even if such a video were to be shown to them, they'll be as dismissive. Humans in general see only what they want to see. They generally avert their eyes from the truth.

[@muhammadarafatgaruda]

Thanks a million!

[@mubafaw]

Started having faith in the BBC again 😊🙏

[@IntuitiveLearner]

On second thought, I will even go further. There are many activities that appear to be monotasking but ARE actually multitasking. Driving often involves finding one's way to a certain destination. Trying to get somewhere is a different activity than paying attention to road conditions. Working a math problem, for example, might consist of parallel activities. Trying to do both correctly might result in a failure to do either. For example, trying to focus on writing the second sentence above resulted in my writing the very IS instead of the grammatically correct word ARE. It is only because, as a writer, I have trained myself to expect grammatical errors and to proof almost everything I write before I "publish". Unfortunately, I still make mistakes (just found a spelling error).

[@wizardazeris6385]

Great video (y)

[@pratyushkishore9030]

But I am playing a sport which requires concentration , everything was good when my teammates started mocking the opposite team and motivating , due to their constant sounds I couldn't focus on the actual game . Idk this only happens with me , for most of my teammates it doesn't matter is what is being said in the background , but for me it is a great weakness and my mind alawys misses the ball when there is some sound

[@volknotrsr3239]

amazing

[@ngosamusic3192]

Who else is multitasking while watching this video too😂

[@goodheart1729]

eating

[@MrJigarercivil]

I am working and watching this video :)

[@LourdesBlancor]

True

[@threefriends745]

❤️️✔️ Exactly.

[@hewhoisoverheaven]

I play league while singing to what ever song is in my spotify playlist while watching a video on my phone, which is the everyday thing after class and weekends

[@jegan2000]

When an employer wanted to spend less money and thus forced his/her employees/workers to multitask it would be one hell of working environment I guess 😥 .

[@kandyappleview]

i can tell you from experience...it is. 😓

[@TheWolfgangGrimmer]

That employer will regret it in the long run if he has any pattern recogintion skills. Which is not always the case, I suppose.

[@arpitkumar4525]

I couldn't even count 7 balls bouncing inside the circle let alone notice that dinosaur or any other thing. I counted 9

[@darkphoenix9650]

I didn't see the circle so I just sat there confused

[@cherrygarnet3870]

Reading the comments,watching a show ,and listening to this at the same time 😉

[@muhammedramees234]

I am listening to this video while my routine room cleaning

[@brainactivity737]

Is this the Ted-Ed version of BBC 😁?

[@alonespirit_1Q84]

"We are taking one day at a time"- Alain De Botton

[@leonard1kimutai812]

Fellow student at the school of life hello!

[@alonespirit_1Q84]

@@leonard1kimutai812 Take care 🤞🏻

[@jktech2117]

i saw the dino and counted right and noticed a ball looked weird.

[@mimikay0182]

I'm doing homework and if I don't like the subject I can't help but feel sleepy. So to stop my self from dozing off, i watch drama's. I'm not that focus on watching, I can survive from just hearing so I can just listen to music while doing my work. Do you think it's bad?

[@melvayaredaguilar]

that phone while driving is dangerous id say

[@aacmove]

hahaha. I didn't even notice the circle until the ball stopped bouncing.

[@dannymaciejewski]

Okay, I was really hoping for more in-depth resource here. I actually struggle with multitasking several large components of my life at the same time. Can anyone out there point me in the right direction for help with that?

[@kaid567]

Elaborate so I can respond properly … large tasks like what ?

[@dannymaciejewski]

@@kaid567 i mean components like; work, kids, friends, hobbies etc. I find I either do them all simultaneously with average results and as soon as I focus on one in particular all others deteriorate because they don’t get my attention.

[@samanthahardy9903]

@@dannymaciejewski You could try time blocks. Allocate blocks of time for different activities according to importance and urgency.

[@spycat4601]

do you think listening audiobook and working is multitasking?

[@Anedoje]

My last two jobs need this memo

[@dranicoolmeds8133]

One work at a time makes you super man

[@yl8953]

Inattentional blindness or perceptual blindness occurs when an individual fails to perceive an unexpected stimulus in plain sight, purely as a result of a lack of attention rather than any vision defects or deficits.

[@pierre-rose7783]

Imagine an airline where the pilots do both the job of flying the plane and flight attendant, (alternate from auto pilot to manual, as required), all in a effort to boost profits !

[@blackbird1320]

why do supervisors/job recruiters think multitasking is required for job? as a skill?

[@maxanitei8411]

who else has to do some school experiment involving multitasking

[@yar0607]

but what about situations when life goes the way that you should to. Its like, yes, i understand that i can't do it, but i should to do it.

[@melvayaredaguilar]

“ irrelevant “ detail is what we are trying to learn at the same time

[@ilkhgs]

Drummer who sings. Explain please...

[@Beatriz201191]

Wow. That´s pretty amazing. I really tought that I could multitask; But I, clearly, can´t. Dang it :( :( :(

[@proknight6490]

You can I do it it’s not hard don’t let this video fool you

[@basic204]

umm I was able to noticed all that stuff at same time and keep count...so what's going on with that ? I've always been able to do things like listen to an audiobook, watch and move and write. If I push more then 3 things I get a migraine

[@jktech2117]

same here.

[@deadboy164]

1:39 Where is the gorilla?

[@iozefeder]

They were talking about the famous experiment by Daniel Simon & Christopher Chabris. You can find a version of it, here: watch?v=IGQmdoK_ZfY

[@komalsidhu3910]

Why did I notice the changing circle, the little dinosaur, counted the correct number of balls that bounced in the circle and the smiley face on one of the balls

[@amiralimm234]

😍😍😍

[@anushkas8740]

I can too do multitask I can listen to class(different subject) and write incomplete notes(different subject, without the teacher noticing me.) at the same time!

[@PavanKumar-wh9cr]

I'm using two youtube channel is that bad?

[@cheetabis]

multi-tasking skill is what i felt being abused by one of my previous employers

[@dimitriaurelus281]

Yo once that dinosaur hit, I lost

[@strawberryfoxyt133]

Well, if you’re walking and breathing, you’re are multitasking. I’m typing this right now and existing lmao wha?

[@8754roberto]

I came here because of my English teacher 👩‍🏫😅

[@ikhsanrobbani9479]

Finnaly, I know that multitasking is bad for my brain. But, how my parent is multitasking so easily?

[@danialamin252]

I think there were 17 balls

[@hariiv_]

I too do multitasking Reading and Sleeping Lol!

[@augustsmith9553]

Hari Hari you’re not actually laughing out loud I hope

[@christopheklinger3217]

You can only multitask to a certain point, our bosses are abusing it, violence will ensue.

[@Fnb-cb-200]

As long as you complete your tasks one by one perfectly, no need of multitasking. Choose what you want. If you can multitask, then do it. If you can't, then focus on a specific task first and then for another one. Though girls are clever for multitasking, i'm really bad at it. 😂😂😂 And also i'm not worried about it. Cause, it won't do any bad for me.

[@WouldUKindly47]

Gotta love all the HR folks screaming at us to be masters of multitasking. Especially on stuff that requires dedicated concentration.

[@BobTheBuilder294]

I can breathe and blink at the same time without thinking about it. Unless i read a comment about it, hopefully you didn't read this one.

[@IntuitiveLearner]

Good exposition, but wrong in an important way. The presenter claims that it is possible to listen to music and perform another activity without loss of productivity. This is false. It is possible to have music on while engaged in an activity without loss of productivity only if one does not attend to the music. It one is actually paying attention to the music, then one is disengaged from the other activity.

[@ehkalyan]

Multitasking is for machines.

[@1Shalnark1]

Multitasking will only lead to mistakes.

[@KittyTink]

I thought it was a chicken leg but yes - not the smiley face, though. Must be hungry!

[@royvillegas907]

That is not a problem for bilinguals❤

[@fatehyabali]

Fa

[@dotsdot5608]

are women better at multitasking? please cite source

[@ericksonboang]

de-esser

[@bhadresh1135]

supe

[@vinceparziale9005]

It is way to make.people do more for less money while companies make more money.

[@jonny777bike]

Computers don't multitask. They switch tasks in each cycle. They run millions to billions of cycles a second.

[@hellomate6079]

I am trading stocks and loosing money at the same time I am good at multitasking

[@skimoscato6710]

MULTI THINKING IS POSSIBLE WITH SHROOMS!

[@Makom2023]

iF I DONT DO MULTITASKING...LOST MY JOB

[@emmawhite6832]

slay

[@Ghost-xu4yg]

This is just BS, I'm a pilot and we literally have to do multitasking 100% out time flying, it's like walking while chewing and watching the traffic, you do something so much time that it gets as easier as riding a bike

[@azury3358]

First

[@jonathanjollimore4794]

It just doing everything poorly at the same time

[@goodheart1729]

i counted 18 balls

[@augustsmith9553]

I quit KZbin

[@orhant3734]

this is stupid. the question is how many balls are there. If the task required me to focus on the ground and a possible dinosour then I would try to do both tasks at the same time.

[@mudslinger888]

The extraneous, annoying music added to talk videos is most annoying - and of course not healthy at all - so this video is a bit hypocritical... why do young people stay dumb after learning this? Bc they do not retain anything! I would bet my 87 year old dad has better recall than my nephews under 30.. If this was any longer Id have left by now, I have little tolerance for what has become a horrendous fad, music in front of talk to where its not worth the brain filtering headache. Being able to focus is wonderful. I feel sorry for all the people who became addicted to studying while listening, it damaged their brain.

[@LiverPools-ib5fv]

Doing 50 cent dirty by cropping his photo in that thumbnail