Divided Attention: Definition, Examples, and Limitations for AP Psych

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🧠 Definition: Divided attention is the ability to process multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously.
• 🚦 Key Concept: It's most efficient when tasks are well-practiced or require different cognitive resources.
• ⚠️ Limitation: Our attentional resources are limited; performance suffers when tasks compete for the same resources.
• 📝 Factors Affecting Divided Attention: Task similarity, task difficulty, and practice.
• 💡 Real-World Example: Talking on the phone while driving significantly impairs driving performance.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following BEST describes divided attention?
   1. Concentrating on a single task to the exclusion of all others.
   2. The ability to focus on one task at a time.
   3. The ability to process multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously.
   4. Alternating rapidly between two tasks.
2. Divided attention is MOST efficient when:
   1. Tasks are novel and complex.
   2. Tasks are well-practiced and require different cognitive resources.
   3. Tasks are similar and require the same cognitive resources.
   4. Tasks are performed in a noisy environment.
3. A major limitation of divided attention is:
   1. Unlimited attentional resources.
   2. Improved performance on all tasks.
   3. Limited attentional resources.
   4. Enhanced cognitive flexibility.
4. Which factor does NOT significantly affect divided attention performance?
   1. Task similarity.
   2. Task difficulty.
   3. Task novelty.
   4. Task practice.
5. Talking on a cell phone while driving is a common example illustrating the limitations of:
   1. Selective attention.
   2. Divided attention.
   3. Inattentional blindness.
   4. Change blindness.
6. What happens when tasks compete for the same cognitive resources during divided attention?
   1. Performance improves on all tasks.
   2. Performance remains constant on all tasks.
   3. Performance suffers on at least one task.
   4. Cognitive resources are automatically reallocated.
7. Which of the following activities would likely be the EASIEST to perform simultaneously with another task, according to divided attention principles?
   1. Solving complex math problems and writing an essay.
   2. Listening to a podcast and folding laundry.
   3. Reading a textbook and watching a movie.
   4. Playing a video game and having a conversation.