“To the girl who just ran into the light post on Wescoe Beach: you thought no one saw you, but I did.”
A “Free For All” comment from the April 4, 2007 University Daily Kansan may highlight an existing problem on campus quite well. The unfortunate girl on Wescoe may have been lost in a realm of text messages or a cellular phone conversation. Scientists say students are distracted more than ever by the abundance of technology.
University of Kansas psychologists have tested the effects cellular phones have on the most basic tasks, specifically driving and conversation. The results are far from anything that would make one want to multitask.
“All of the results from the experiments are very negative,” Professor Paul Atchley said. “Your ability to focus and perform well declines dramatically.”
Atchley, associate professor and director of the cognitive psychology program, has performed “functional field of view” tests for the past year. A recent Vanderbilt University study on the negative effects of cellular phone distractions made public this spring correlated with Atchley’s work. Both experiments indicate consequences to multitasking.
“We have found that someone driving and talking on the cell phone at the same time has the brain capacity of a mentally impaired adult,” Atchley said. “Our scores have shown the accident risk can be from 200 percent to 700 percent with a cell phone.”
Experiments were done on University undergraduate students to determine the effects of cellular phone distractions while driving. Tests included visual tasks displayed on a computer screen of moving targets along with conversational tasks that required the participant to respond with a word. The experiment monitored a student’s functional field of view and the level of distraction the student was receiving.
“The functional field of view is when someone sees what’s around them, but isn’t fully aware,” Jeffery Dressel said. “Students’ senses aren’t attuned to complete awareness.”
Dressel, a psychology graduate teaching assistant, helped Professor Atchley create and perform many of the tests last spring. They have been compiling data this year. He said the two main findings were an increase in accident risk and a decrease in quality of conversation.
Students were given three visual tests of moving targets on a computer screen. With each test distractions were increased. Conversational tests were added to each test in the second round. When the visual and conversational tests were combined results were dramatically altered.
“Cognitively, your brain isn’t made to focus on multiple tasks all at once,” Atchely said. “It can switch quickly, but it increases errors and accident risk.”
Detection thresholds were measured in milliseconds of how much time was needed for students to make the correct response. Results showed the main task became more demanding as distractions were added. Participants had much higher thresholds when the conversational task was added. The experiment results with no conversation were: 16, 17.6 and 51.37 milliseconds. When conversation was added student thresholds increased to 56.60, 159.07 and 202.13 milliseconds.
Increased accident risk is one consequence of cellular phone distractions, but Atchley has also studied how it affects people socially.
“We talk more slowly, our language becomes more simple,” Atchley said. “Our brains have to do things in serial.”
Atchely said he hates to see students lessen the quality of their social interactions and conversations simply because of cellular phones and text messaging. He said relationships become less clear and less deep when distractions such as a cellular phone are factored in.
“I see kids out at restaurants text messaging during a meal with someone else,” Atchely said. “I think, why are these people even out together?”
Allyn Denning, Ellsworth junior, also feels students on campus are accident prone and socially impaired by their cellular phones. Denning had a friend rear end her car last year when he was distracted by text message.
“I watch everyone with their cell phones and Ipods on and some can’t even walk straight,” Denning said. “It’s frustrating. Sometimes if you’re on campus walking you should just put your phone and Ipod away.”
Robyn McKay, M.A. Counseling and Psychological Services in Watkins Health Center agrees cellular phone use has risen to unhealthy levels.
“On this campus we take for granted the very basic activities,” McKay said. “Many of us really aren’t able to fully attend to the present and be in a state of consciousness.”
McKay studies mindfulness and often gives her patients advice about their cellular phone use if they are feeling unfocused or unproductive. She recommends setting aside certain times to make phone calls and making a conscious choice not to answer at times when one is focused on another task.
Some Universtiy students may find that a hard habit to break.
“I check my phone like every ten minutes,” Ashley Conrad, Houston freshman said. “I’ll be texting in class and look up an not know anything that’s going on. It’s sad, but true.”
Professor Atchley continues to study cellular phones distractions on daily activities. His results have alerted him to the range and severity of the outcomes.
“It can simply be less focus, running into things, a less engaging conversation,” Atchley said. “But it’s not just our communication skills, it is most definitely our own safety.”
Source: Dept of Psychology, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd., University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045