Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Rosselli, Monica

Abstract

Deciding what information we attend to has implications on our ability to remain valuable and productive in our respective academic and economic domains. This study investigated if attentional switching due to information technology interruptions would deplete resources in a unique way and impair performance on a response inhibition task. Three groups were compared on the Simon task after participants either did or did not receive interruptions during a self-regulation task. Unexpectedly, a larger Simon effect was found for participants who did not receive interruptions. These results conform to previous evidence showing sustained directed attention may result in depletion and effect subsequent inhibitory control. Although not supporting predictions, these results may provide a basis for further research, particularly because younger generations are developing in a more connected world than preceding generations. By understanding these differences, younger generations may better adapt to technological advances and leverage them to their advantage.

Extent

50 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00013117

Format

pdf

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