ABSTRACT Our smartphones enable—and encourage—constant connection to information, entertainment, and each other. They put the world at our fingertips, and rarely leave our sides. Although these devices have immense potential to improve welfare, their persistent presence may come at a cognitive cost. In this research, we test the “brain drain” hypothesis that the mere presence of one’s own smartphone may occupy limited-capacity cognitive resources, thereby leaving fewer resources available for other tasks and undercutting cognitive performance. Results from two experiments indicate that even when people are successful at maintaining sustained attention—as when avoiding the temptation to check their phones—the mere presence of these devices reduces available cognitive capacity. Moreover, these cognitive costs are highest for those highest in smartphone dependence. We conclude by discussing the practical implications of this smartphone-induced brain drain for consumer decision-making and consumer welfare.
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This study is about.....
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To determine whether there is a general capacity for all working memory tasks, Turner and Engle (1989) developed a task called operation-word-spanor OSPAN. In this task, participants are asked to read and verify a simple math problem (such as "Is (4/2)-1=1 ?) and then read a word after the operation (such as SNOW). After a series of problems and words has been presented, the participants recall the words that followed each operation. The number of operation-word strings in a sequence is increased and decreased to measure the participant's operation span. Operation span measures predict verbal abilities and reading comprehension even though the subjects are solving mathematical problems. Engle and his colleagues have argued that this implies a general pool of resources that is used in every type of working memory situation.