The idea that our attention spans are shrinking has been a topic of discussion for some time now, particularly in the era of digital technology and information overload. With the rise of smartphones, social media, and instant access to endless content, some argue that people are becoming more easily distracted and have shorter attention spans. For example, it is very likely that before you finish this short passage, you will become interrupted or distracted by a text, an email, or a notification.
It is important to note that when it comes to attention, there are varying types of attention, one of which includes what we traditionally think of when it comes to “paying attention,” which is known as our focus attention. When it comes to using our various types of attention, the duration or time in which we can use it is called our attention span, and our attention span can be found to be impacted by many factors, especially in our modern pace world!
Dr. Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics at the University of California, has demonstrated that our attention span has decreased over time. Across multiple studies, Dr. Mark’s research indicates a noticeable decrease in attention spans over the past two decades, particularly regarding screen time. More specifically, she found that in 2012, the average attention span was around 75 seconds, whereas in the last few years, the average attention span has been around 47 seconds. That is almost a 30-second difference, essentially an entire TikTok video shorter!
According to Dr. Marks, there are many factors that have impacted our attention span, which includes our constant struggle to multitask or switch between tasks quickly, especially when considering the constant desire to check your email, social media, or various other notifications multiple times a day while engaging in your work or primary assignment. We have adopted a mindset that tells us to constantly “go” or do everything at once, which has also impacted our ability to switch between tasks and pay attention effectively.
So, when it comes to our attention, what do we do? Well, there are many things you can do, such as making sure you are getting the right amount of sleep, allowing yourself time to disconnectfrom tasks, and set designated quiet times from electronics.
If you are interested in ways to help your attention span, Dr. Gloria Mark, wrote about ways to restore your focus in her book Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity. (https://gloriamark.com/attention-span/)
If you are interested and would like to hear more about your attention span, please check out this podcast which interviewed Dr. Mark ( https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans).
- Written by Jhasmyn Alladin, LPC