Split attention effect

Imagine that you are playing a game on your tablet while watching TV at the same time. Your attention is split between your tablet and the TV. This is called the split attention effect.

The split attention effect happens when we have to pay attention to multiple things at once. Our brain has limited attention, and when we split our attention between multiple things, we can't focus on any one thing fully.

For example, imagine that you are trying to follow a complicated recipe while watching a cooking show. You might miss important steps in the recipe because your attention is split between the TV and the recipe.

This split attention can also be a problem in the classroom. If a teacher is trying to explain a complicated concept while students are also reading or taking notes, the split attention effect can make it harder for students to learn.

To avoid the split attention effect, it's important to try to focus on one task at a time. If you need to multitask, try to minimize distractions as much as possible. This can help you stay focused and avoid missing important information.