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The Effect of Media Multitasking on Online Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior

Project description

A closer look at our online social behaviour

The prevalence of digital devices and portable media platforms has led to a surge in online activities and media multitasking (MMT). However, recent studies have suggested that the simultaneous consumption of different media can result in cognitive and emotional strain, and influence individuals’ online social behaviour (OSB). With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the MULTIPLE project will explore the relationship between MMT and emerging adults’ engagement in OSB. By examining various dimensions of MMT activities, such as task hierarchy, emotional content, and time pressure, the project aims to determine how changes in these factors impact individuals’ participation in OSB. Eye movement tracking, computer-based experiments, and questionnaires will be used to uncover the underlying mechanisms.

Objective

Digital devices and portable media platforms have become integral parts of people's lives, causing an increase in online activities and an inclination for simultaneous consumption of different media (known as media multitasking, a.k.a MMT). Extant research suggested that MMT causes cognitive strain and emotions and influences an individual’s information processing abilities, likely influencing one’s online social behavior (OSB) (pro and antisocial). Project MULTIPLE examines how multiple dimensions (task hierarchy, emotional content of the task, and time pressure) of MMT activities may influence emerging adults' engagement in OSB. It aims to determine how changes in task hierarchy and the emotional content of the tasks affect individuals’ engagement in OSB. Whether the inclusion of time pressure in the interaction of task hierarchy and the emotional content influences individuals’ engagement in OSB. Other goals are to identify the underlying mechanisms (i.e. mediators, e.g. frustration, cognitive load) and moderators (e.g. tendency to express online, impulsivity) to understand the said relationship. The methodology integrates eye movement tracking, controlled computer-based laboratory experiments, and questionnaires. The IRTIS Dept. at the MU leads in the media and cyber-related studies and will help the researcher with the team’s state-of-the-art infrastructure. The project will create a cross-discipline theoretical framework (information and communication, cognition and media) and help generate guidelines for improving the work environment in organizations where MMT is prevalent.

Coordinator

Masarykova univerzita
Net EU contribution
€ 166 278,72
Address
Zerotinovo namesti 9
601 77 Brno
Czechia

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Region
Česko Jihovýchod Jihomoravský kraj
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data