The Mere Presence of a Cell Phone May be Distracting: Implications for Attention and Task Performance

Abstract

Research consistently demonstrates the active use of cell phones, whether talking or texting, to be distracting and contributes to diminished performance when multitasking (e.g., distracted driving or walking). Recent research also has indicated that simply the presence of a cell phone and what it might represent (i.e., social connections, broader social network, etc.) can be similarly distracting and have negative consequences in a social interaction. Results of two studies reported here provide further evidence that the "mere presence" of a cell phone may be sufficiently distracting to produce diminished attention and deficits in task-performance, especially for tasks with greater attentional and cognitive demands. The implications for such an unintended negative consequence may be quite wide-ranging (e.g., productivity in school and the work place).

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Original Article
The Mere Presence of a Cell Phone
May be Distracting
Implications for Attention and Task Performance
Bill Thornton, Alyson Faires, Maija Robbins, and Eric Rollins
University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, USA
Abstract. Research consistently demonstrates the active use of cell phones, whether talking or texting, to be distracting and contributes to
diminished performance when multitasking (e.g., distracted driving or walking). Recent research also has indicated that simply the presence of a
cell phone and what it might represent (i.e., social connections, broader social network, etc.) can be similarly distracting and have negative
consequences in a social interaction. Results of two studies reported here provide further evidence that the ‘‘mere presence’’ of a cell phone may
be sufficiently distracting to produce diminished attention and deficits in task-performance, especially for tasks with greater attentional and
cognitive demands. The implications for such an unintended negative consequence may be quite wide-ranging (e.g., productivity in school and
the work place).
Keywords: cell phone, distraction, attention, performance
Mobile cell phones are ubiquitous and ‘‘smartphones’’ in
particular are becoming increasingly prevalent. Recent sur-
veys indicate that at least 85% of people in the United
States have cell phones, and that over 50% of these users
now have smartphones (Duggan & Rainie, 2012; Nielsen,
2013; Smith, 2012; Time Mobility Poll, 2012). Overall,
users note that mobile technology has changed their lives
with most indicating it has helped them maintain or
enhance their relationships with friends and family. Aside
from calling, it is texting that has become the predominate
use of the cell phone, followed by email and social net-
working. Indeed, in the 10 years since 2002, text messaging
in the United States alone has gone from 31 million per day
to 6 billion (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Associ-
ation, 2012).
The ‘‘constant connectivity’’ afforded by mobile tech-
nology has contributed to a preoccupation with the cell
phone – an overwhelming majority of users check their
phone upon waking and as the last thing before bed, are
continually checking for calls and texts, and report they
could not go without their phone for one day (Perlow,
2012; Smith, 2012; Time, 2012).
Such ‘‘cognitive salience,’’ when the cell phone domi-
nates one’s thoughts or focus, along with ‘‘behavioral sal-
ience,’’ a preoccupation with checking/using the cell
phone, are primary symptoms of behavioral addiction
(Walsh, White, & Young, 2008). Moreover, this constant
connectivity throughout the day provides for a continual
source of interruptions and distractions and potentially dimin-
ishes our ability to maintain attention and to concentrate and
think deeply about things (Carr, 2010; Wajcman & Rose,
2011). Yet, a majority of users report ‘‘no problem’’
with regard to being able to disconnect from work at
home, give people undivided attention, or focus on a task
without being distracted (Smith, 2012).
Distraction Associated With Cell
Phone Use
Multitasking is very common with mobile technology (e.g.,
talking/texting while driving, walking, shopping, or watch-
ing television) and perhaps contributes to the users’belief
that the cell phone makes it easier to stay in touch with peo-
ple, helps coordinate daily activities, and contributes to
greater productivity (Smith, 2012). Indeed, multitasking
with the cell phone has the appearance of not taking up
extra time; instead, it creates the illusion of ‘‘giving you
more time’’ (Turkle, 2011).
Distracted Driving and Walking
However, multitasking with the cell phone has obvious
negative consequences as is apparent with delayed detec-
tion and reaction times, inattentional blindness, and
increased incidents of accidents associated with distracted
driving (Caird, Willness, Steel, & Scialfa, 2008; Strayer,
2014 Hogrefe Publishing Social Psychology 2014; Vol. 45(6):479–488
DOI: 10.1027/1864-9335/a000216
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