{"title":"Frequent Media Use, Media Multitasking, and Perceived Cost of Cognitive Effort.","authors":"Myoungju Shin, Karen Murphy","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2024.0492","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>People regard cognitive effort as costly and try to conserve such effort whenever possible. This study aimed to examine the relationship between frequent media use and perceived cost for cognitive effort. A sample of 266 participants (mean age = 25.66, 187 females) completed questionnaires of media use, cognitive thinking style, and psychological distress. They also completed a cognitive task and estimated their cognitive effort spent on the task. The results showed that heavier media multitasking was associated with a higher perceived cost of cognitive effort during the task. No such relationship was observed for frequent use of social media, video gaming, or TV/Movies/YouTube. The findings suggest that the way media is engaged in, but not media consumption itself, is a key factor in cognitive effort avoidance. The results further our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in and driving media multitasking.</p>","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2024.0492","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
Frequent Media Use, Media Multitasking, and Perceived Cost of Cognitive Effort.
People regard cognitive effort as costly and try to conserve such effort whenever possible. This study aimed to examine the relationship between frequent media use and perceived cost for cognitive effort. A sample of 266 participants (mean age = 25.66, 187 females) completed questionnaires of media use, cognitive thinking style, and psychological distress. They also completed a cognitive task and estimated their cognitive effort spent on the task. The results showed that heavier media multitasking was associated with a higher perceived cost of cognitive effort during the task. No such relationship was observed for frequent use of social media, video gaming, or TV/Movies/YouTube. The findings suggest that the way media is engaged in, but not media consumption itself, is a key factor in cognitive effort avoidance. The results further our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in and driving media multitasking.
期刊介绍:
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking is a leading peer-reviewed journal that is recognized for its authoritative research on the social, behavioral, and psychological impacts of contemporary social networking practices. The journal covers a wide range of platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, internet gaming, and e-commerce, and examines how these digital environments shape human interaction and societal norms.
For over two decades, this journal has been a pioneering voice in the exploration of social networking and virtual reality, establishing itself as an indispensable resource for professionals and academics in the field. It is particularly celebrated for its swift dissemination of findings through rapid communication articles, alongside comprehensive, in-depth studies that delve into the multifaceted effects of interactive technologies on both individual behavior and broader societal trends.
The journal's scope encompasses the full spectrum of impacts—highlighting not only the potential benefits but also the challenges that arise as a result of these technologies. By providing a platform for rigorous research and critical discussions, it fosters a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between technology and human behavior.