The effect of multitasking on time perception, enjoyment, and ad evaluation

Sydney Chinchanachokchai, Brittany R.L. Duff, Sela Sar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Advances in media technology allow people to frequently engage in multiple mediated tasks simultaneously (multitasking). Media multitasking can also be a way to split attention away from uninteresting or low stimulation tasks. But how does multitasking affect evaluations of the tasks and task content? This study investigated how multitasking affects evaluations of commercials. Participants either only watched the ads or performed additional task(s) while the ads were playing. The results showed that performing additional on-screen tasks while commercials were playing led participants to perceive time as passing more quickly compared to when they just watched the commercials. Moreover, multi-window multitasking increased overall task enjoyment and increased ad evaluations, an effect that was mediated by the perception of how quickly time was passing while the ads were playing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)185-191
Number of pages7
JournalComputers in Human Behavior
Volume45
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2015

Keywords

  • Commercials
  • Media multitasking
  • Online advertising
  • Task enjoyment
  • Time perception

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • General Psychology

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