Definition:

Divided attention refers to the cognitive ability to concentrate on or process multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously.

Subtypes of Divided Attention:

  1. Selective Attention: The capacity to pay attention to specific stimuli or tasks while disregarding others.
  2. Switching Attention: The skill to shift focus between different tasks or stimuli.
  3. Divided-Visual/Multitasking: The ability to divide attention between visual stimuli, such as driving and talking on the phone.
  4. Divided-Auditory/Multitasking: The capacity to divide attention between auditory stimuli, such as listening to a podcast while cooking.
  5. Divided-Spatial/Multitasking: The aptitude to divide attention between spatial stimuli, such as reading a book while visually monitoring a video lecture.

Examples of Divided Attention:

  • Typing an email while listening to a conference call.
  • Driving a car while talking to a passenger.
  • Watching TV while eating dinner.