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distraction

Image shows a woman infront of a computer driving game.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 1, 2017·5 min read

Mind Wandering Is Common While Driving

During simulated driving, people's minds tend to wander upwards of 70% of the time, researchers report.

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Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 14, 2015·4 min read

Older People More Easily Distracted than the Young

A new study reports we tend to be more easily distracted as we age.

Image shows a woman texting and driving.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 7, 2016·4 min read

Driving or Talking? The Brain Concentrates on One Thing at a Time

A new study investigates what happens when we multitask and why it's not such a good idea to drive and use a phone at the same time.

This image shows a drawing of a human head. Inside the head are lights.

Featured Psychology

·March 3, 2015·3 min read

Creative Genius Driven by Distraction

Real world creativity could be associated with a reduced ability to filter irrelevant sensory information, a new study reports.

This shows a cartoon of a woman trying to read with lots of distractions in the background

Featured Neuroscience

·June 12, 2019·5 min read

How we tune out distractions

A pathway linking the basal ganglia to the thalamus enhances sensory discrimination and is used to suppress 'background noise'. The pathway, which is controlled by the prefrontal cortex, selectively suppresses sensory input as it flows to the thalamus.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 24, 2017·5 min read

Don’t Multitask While You Read This

A new study reveals that while multitasking diminishes our ability to remember some things, we can still focus on important information while our attention is divided.

This shows a woman looking at a smartphone

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 11, 2022·4 min read

Constant Smartphone Notifications Tax Your Brain

Constant push notifications on smartphones may affect cognition by decreasing concentration and increasing distraction. Researchers found heavy smartphone use was associated with poor concentration recovery following a notification and alterations in brain activity that made people more sensitive to push notifications.

The image shows the reflection of one of the study participants as they attempt the task.

Featured Psychology

·December 9, 2014·4 min read

Consistent Distraction Does Not Hinder Learning

Researchers report distraction does not necessarily hinder learning.

Featured Psychology

·October 31, 2016·3 min read

Understanding Mind-Wandering Could Shed Light on Mental Illness

A new framework could help provide a better understanding of the stream of consciousness in people who suffer from certain mental illnesses.

Infographic shows a person in the driving simulator.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 12, 2016·4 min read

A “Sixth Sense” Protects Drivers, Except When Texting

A new study reports the anterior cingulate cortex intervenes when driving distracted, but not when texting and driving.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 6, 2018·5 min read

Distracted People Can Be Smell Blind

Researchers say inattentional anosmia exists. People who are busily engaged in tasks or distracted may not notice the presence of new smells, a new study reveals.