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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 185-191 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Computers in Human Behavior |
Volume | 45 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 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