Technology, and smartphones in particular, make our lives easier and more enjoyable, do we have access to more information, can we do more and less time, we communicate with a lot of people ?, but doesn’t that mean they make us more productive. Do smartphones reduce intelligence?
Specifically, our smartphones reduce our cognitive ability, at least, according to a recent study by the University of Texas at Austin, USA. But it’s not the first time According to this study, cognitive abilities and overall brain power are greatly reduced when you have a smartphone. at your fingertips, even if it’s off or off.
- The smartphone is more than a mobile phone.
- It is a small computer that offers a great ability to connect.
- The presence of our smartphone allows us to access information at the same time.
- Various forms of entertainment.
- Facilitates social stimulation and much more.
- However.
- This research suggests that these benefits and dependence that generate.
- Can have a cognitive price.
The mere presence of your smartphone can reduce cognitive abilities, according to the study.
Our smartphones allow and stimulate a constant connection not only between people, but also with information and entertainment, putting the world at your fingertips, however, while these devices have immense potential to improve our well-being, their constant presence can have a significant cognitive impact. Cost.
This research tests the hypothesis that researchers have called “brain drain” (brain drain). According to this hypothesis, the mere presence of the smartphone can occupy cognitive resources of limited capacity, thus leaving fewer resources available for other tasks and devaluing cognitive performance.
The results of experiments conducted by researchers indicate that even when people are able to maintain continuous attention, the mere presence of these devices decreases the cognitive ability available, this happens, for example, avoiding the temptation to check the smartphone. Cognitive costs are even higher because smartphone dependence is high.
In one experiment, the researchers asked study participants to sit in front of a computer for a series of tests that would require a lot of concentration. The tests aimed to measure the available cognitive ability of participants, i. e. the brain’s ability to store and process information at any given time. Before starting, participants were randomly chosen to place their silent smartphones face down on the table, in their pocket, in the backpack or in another room.
Researchers found that participants with smartphones in another room significantly outperformed those with smartphones at the table, and were also slightly outnumbered by participants who kept the devices in their pockets or backpacks.
The results suggest that the mere presence of a smartphone reduces available cognitive abilities and affects cognitive functioning, even if people feel they are using all their attention and focus on the task they are performing.
“There is a linear trend that suggests that as the smartphone becomes more visible, participants’ available cognitive ability decreases,” the researchers explain. “The conscious mind does not think about the smartphone, but about this process, the process of requiring it to think of anything, uses some of the limited cognitive resources. “
In another experiment, researchers attempted to identify the influence of smartphones, but also attempted to isolate the effect that greater or lesser reliance on devices might have.
Researchers offered the same computer evidence to participants. The group separation was also random: one group had to do the tests with the smartphones on the side and with the screen facing down, another group with the smartphones in their pocket, another group with the device in another room and in another simply had to turn off the devices.
Researchers found that participants who were more dependent on their smartphones did worse than their less dependent peers, but only when they had their smartphones on the table or in their backpacks or pockets. They also found that it didn’t matter if the smartphone was on or off, or that it was face down on the table.
The researchers explain that it was not that the participants were distracted because they received notifications on their smartphones, but that the mere presence of the device was enough to reduce the participants’ cognitive abilities.
Keeping the device in sight or at hand reduces a person’s ability to concentrate and perform tasks because part of their brain is actively working not to look at or use the device.
Although researchers focused primarily on the cognitive costs associated with the presence of smartphones, the study is equally relevant to the possible implications of their absence. Disconnection – in popular culture reflects a growing interest of consumers in intentionally reducing – or at least controlling how long it will be to interact with electronic devices.
In this sense, researchers point out that some consumers replace their smartphones with mobile phones with less modern features or supplement them with devices or features that offer a brief interruption of connection, while others turn to apps that find, filter and limit the use of smartphones.
Research suggests that these measures may be doubly beneficial for those who are digitally tired. Therefore, by redefining the importance of their devices, these consumers can reduce digital distraction and increase available cognitive abilities.
In any case, keep this idea in mind
Whenever you need to optimize control of your attention and cognitive functions, keeping your smartphone out of sight helps increase brain power.