Abstract
The impact of digital technology on human cognition has become a topic of significant interest in recent years, with various studies highlighting the adverse effects on cognition, particularly attention. While the negative impact of digital applications on our attentional processes is well-documented, practical solutions to mitigate these detrimental effects are rare. In this paper, we propose Attention Mode as a design solution that aims to minimise the negative impacts of digital technology on attention by creating easy-to-understand and navigate user interfaces. This approach can help users focus on tasks, reduce cognitive load, and minimise distractions, ultimately improving their overall experience. We developed interaction mock-ups incorporating the Attention Mode and conducted a preliminary one-to-one sharing with 5 participants to analyse to get early feedback. It resulted in valuable feedback on how such a design focus could help users to focus on the content without distractive elements. By integrating the issues from the start of the design process instead of handling it as an afterthought, this work offers new insights into crafting user interfaces in a way that the negative impact of digital technology on attention is mitigated.
This work was conducted with the financial support of the SFI Centre for Research Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality (d-real) under Grant No. 18/CRT/6224 and the SFI Centre Grant No. 12/RC/2289_P2 at Insight the SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics at Dublin City University. For the purpose of Open Access, the author has applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Small, G.W., Lee, J., Kaufman, A., et al.: Brain health consequences of digital technology use. Dialogues Clin. Neurosci. 22, 179–187 (2020). https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.2/gsmall
Ophir, E., Nass, C., Wagner, A.D.: Cognitive control in media multitaskers. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 106, 15583–15587 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0903620106
Barasch, A., Diehl, K., Silverman, J., Zauberman, G.: Photographic memory: the effects of volitional photo taking on memory for visual and auditory aspects of an experience. Psychol. Sci. 28, 1056–1066 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797617694868
Cardoso-Leite, P., Buchard, A., Tissieres, I., et al.: Media use, attention, mental health and academic performance among 8 to 12 year old children. PLoS ONE 16, e0259163 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259163
Davis, R.A.: A cognitive–behavioral model of pathological Internet use. Comput. Hum. Behav. 17, 187–195 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(00)00041-8
Du, J., Kerkhof, P., van Koningsbruggen, G.M.: Predictors of social media self-control failure: immediate gratifications, habitual checking, ubiquity, and notifications. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw. 22, 477–485 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2018.0730
Freytag, A., Knop-Huelss, K., Meier, A., et al.: Permanently online—always stressed out? The effects of permanent connectedness on stress experiences. Hum. Commun. Res. 47, 132–165 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqaa014
Green, C.S., Bavelier, D.: Action video game modifies visual selective attention. Nature 423, 534–537 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01647
Madore, K.P., Wagner, A.D.: Multicosts of Multitasking. Cerebrum 2019:cer-04-19 (2019)
Madore, K.P., Khazenzon, A.M., Backes, C.W., et al.: Memory failure predicted by attention lapsing and media multitasking. Nature 587, 87–91 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2870-z
Misra, S., Stokols, D.: Psychological and health outcomes of perceived information overload. Environ. Behav. 44, 737–759 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916511404408
Rosen, L.D., Mark Carrier, L., Cheever, N.A.: Facebook and texting made me do it: media-induced task-switching while studying. Comput. Hum. Behav. 29, 948–958 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.12.001
Rosser, J.C., Lynch, P.J., Cuddihy, L., et al.: The impact of video games on training surgeons in the 21st century. Arch. Surg. 142, 181–186; Discussion 186 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.142.2.181
Schacter, D.L.: Media, technology, and the sins of memory. Memory Mind Media 1, e1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1017/mem.2021.3
Uncapher, M.R., Wagner, A.D.: Minds and brains of media multitaskers: current findings and future directions. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 115, 9889–9896 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1611612115
Throuvala, M.A., Griffiths, M.D., Rennoldson, M., Kuss, D.J.: Mind over matter: testing the efficacy of an online randomized controlled trial to reduce distraction from smartphone use. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 17, 4842 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134842
Set up a Focus on Mac. In: Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-ie/guide/mac-help/mchl613dc43f/mac. Accessed 11 Apr 2023
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Hacioglu, N., Leva, M.C., Lee, H. (2023). Designing Interaction to Support Sustained Attention. In: Abdelnour Nocera, J., Kristín Lárusdóttir, M., Petrie, H., Piccinno, A., Winckler, M. (eds) Human-Computer Interaction – INTERACT 2023. INTERACT 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14145. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42293-5_53
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42293-5_53
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-42292-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-42293-5
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)