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601. Multitasking Doesn’t Work. So Why Do We Keep Trying?

Freakonomics Radio

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The Narrow Transfer Gradients in Skill Acquisition

Skill acquisition reveals that transfer gradients are narrow, meaning proficiency in one task does not guarantee competence in another, even if they seem related. For example, mastering bicycle riding does not translate to surfing skills. Skills acquired through focused practice are highly specific to the trained activity, and switching tasks can reset progress. However, individuals labeled as 'super taskers' exhibit an ability to excel in unfamiliar tasks, potentially due to innate differences in brain organization that affect learning. Neuroimaging indicates that certain brain regions, notably the frontal polar area in the prefrontal cortex, become more efficient in processing information, suggesting genetic predispositions may contribute to their superior learning capabilities.

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