Why does multitasking reduce performance?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Brain switches between tasks
Brain switches between tasks ✓ — Correct! The brain can't truly multitask—it task-switches rapidly. Each switch costs time and mental energy (switch cost). The prefrontal cortex must disengage from one task, move to another, then re-engage. This creates cognitive overhead, errors, and slower performance than focused sequential work. What feels like multitasking is rapid toggling!
Energy gets divided equally — Wrong. Energy division isn't the problem—the brain can handle multiple processes. Performance drops from the time cost of switching attention between tasks.
Skills haven't been practiced — Wrong. Practice helps automate tasks, but even with skill, task-switching creates cognitive overhead that reduces efficiency.