Can measures of executive functions and spatial ability predict multitasking performance?

Abstract: Recent studies have indicated that individual differences in Executive Functionings (EF) are independent predictors of multitasking performance and mediated by spatial ability. However, these studies lacked multiple measures of EF and their observed effects of spatial processing may have been induced by the nature of the spatial task per se. In this study, participants completed a multitasking session in which they monitored deadlines of four digital clocks running at different rates along with separate measures of EF (inhibition and updating) and spatial ability (mental rotation). Results showed that individual differences in mental rotation and EF were independent predictors of multitasking performance, even when task-specific spatial cues were eliminated. Furthermore, males showed a better multitasking performance than females, and these gender effects were fully mediated by spatial ability. These findings suggest that efficient multitasking involves EF, but that relying on spatial abilities can alleviate cognitive control demands.