Japanese psychologists have discovered in an experiment that the mere sight of a mobile phone disrupts concentration. Researchers previously believed that active use of mobile phones, such as browsing the internet, playing games, or making calls, disturbed the concentration of those nearby. However, Japanese psychologists Jun-ichiro Kawahara and Motohiro Ito from Hokkaido University have found that the mere presence of a mobile phone is enough to disrupt the concentration of others. In their experiment, they asked 40 students to complete a simple task on a computer, with one group having a mobile phone placed next to the computer and the other group having a simple notepad of the same size. The results showed that the group with the mobile phone took longer to complete the task, indicating that the presence of the phone reduced their cognitive performance.
The researchers noted that the average of the group with the mobile phone was made up of two very different results. They had asked the participants beforehand about their internet usage and how often they used their mobile phones. The group with the mobile phone was only slowed down by those who used the internet or their phone irregularly. Heavy users, on the other hand, were not affected by the phone’s presence and even used it as a visual anchor to start their search from the side where the phone was located. The researchers emphasized that there are various strategies to ignore a mobile phone, but it inevitably draws attention like a magnet.
This study highlights the impact of mobile phones on concentration, even when they are not being actively used. It is important to be aware of the potential distractions that mobile phones can cause and to take steps to minimize their impact, such as turning off notifications or placing the phone out of sight during important tasks.
