Recent studies reveal that the human brain can learn to multitask effectively, often without conscious awareness.
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For years, experts believed multitasking was impossible for our brains due to the prefrontal cortex’s role in problem-solving and logical thinking, known for its rigidity.
“We are designed to focus on one task at a time, and that often serves us well,” explains Maximilian Riesenhuber, a neuroscience professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine and lead author of the study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. “Focusing on a single task helps maintain productivity.”
Neuroscientists have long suspected that the prefrontal cortex attempts to switch tasks when juggling multiple demands.
Research by Riesenhuber’s team indicates that our brains develop workaround strategies through repetition and experience, enabling unconscious task performance while freeing the prefrontal cortex for other activities.
In a study, eleven participants aged 18 to 29 spent several hours using an app-based game to classify computer-generated car images into two categories based on shape. This classification was repeated over 30,000 times over 5 to 10 weeks.
Initial brain imaging revealed the prefrontal cortex was heavily involved, but later scans showed participants had begun to use the temporal cortex, a region associated with long-term memory, to perform the same task.
Riesenhuber noted that the findings suggest a process where the prefrontal cortex forms connections allowing it to share mastered information with the temporal cortex.
“This is akin to automation, liberating front brain regions to engage in additional focus-demanding tasks,” he explained.
The ability to multitask unconsciously through distinct brain areas elucidates several common tasks we perform daily without thought.
Riesenhuber mentioned that new drivers need to concentrate exclusively on learning to drive, whereas seasoned drivers can easily converse or listen to music while driving.
Michael Schoenberg, a licensed psychologist and professor at the University of South Florida, who did not participate in the study, added that this explains why humans can develop specialized skills like analyzing brain scans and mastering gymnastics at Olympic durations.
“While I see only squiggles on an EEG, some colleagues can interpret them as people,” Schoenberg noted. “For athletes, mastering a balance beam demands immense concentration, yet countless hours of practice result in what is known as muscle memory.”
Riesenhuber further suggested these principles could extend to childhood development, helping children learn to recognize objects or names automatically and carry that ability throughout their lives without deliberate thought.
“We don’t examine an object before labeling it; instead, we rely on learned associations,” he explained. “Humans aren’t born with knowledge of objects but learn to meaningfully categorize what they observe.”
The study also indicated variability in individuals’ abilities to rewire their brains for multitasking, showcasing differing speeds at which participants could transition from the prefrontal to the temporal cortex for car classification.
“This paves the way for further inquiries,” Riesenhuber stated. “What accounts for these differences? The answer remains unknown.”
On a hopeful note, Schoenberg believes that everyone possesses the potential to harness their multitasking capabilities, even as the speed of learning may slow with age.
Frustration Can Hinder Performance
Besides patience, few shortcuts exist for enhancing task efficiency.
“This study spanned about four weeks,” he noted. “The main takeaway is that multitasking efficiency develops with practice and cannot be achieved in just a few hours. Development of new neural pathways necessitates time.”
Dr. David T. Jones, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, asserts that the brain’s processing limits remain, and self-frustration can exacerbate multitasking difficulties.
“Emotional management is also a task, akin to sorting numbers or identifying cars,” Jones remarked. “Harsh self-criticism simply adds another layer of complexity, disrupting performance.”
Breakdown into manageable chunks is a common hack to enhance memory and information manipulation, similar to how we handle phone numbers.
“We can better retain smaller segments of information instead of lengthy strings of numbers. Utilizing dashes helps consolidate those chunks,” he explained, allowing easier mental processing.
Impact of AI on Brain Functionality
Schoenberg cautioned that overreliance on technology for multitasking—like using generative AI for writing or analysis—could hinder our brain’s multitasking abilities. Research shows that genuine multitasking requires a foundation of expertise.
“Continuous dependence on AI stifles skill mastery,” Schoenberg stressed. “Developing efficient pattern recognition is crucial for multitasking, enabling quicker decision-making while balancing multiple tasks simultaneously.”
Source: www.nbcnews.com