Lecture | Concentration: Staying Focused in Times of Distraction | Prof. Stefan van der Stigchel

We are in the midst of an attention crisis - caused largely by our smartphones. There is a constant stream of information that we are powerless to withstand because it shows up in our notifications. More and more of us are finding it increasingly hard to concentrate.
Van der Stigchel explains how concentration works and offers advice on how to stay focused in a world of beeping smartphones, channel surfing, live-tweeting, pop-up ads and other distractions. The good news, he reports, is that we now know more about brain and behaviour than ever before, and he can draw on the latest scientific findings in his account of concentration. He explains, among other things, that the battle for our attention began long before the digital era; why our phones are so addictive; the importance of working memory (responsible for executing complicated tasks) and how to increase its capacity; and why multitasking is bad for our concentration, but attention rituals help it. He explains the positive effects of taking “tech breaks” (particularly in natural surroundings), meditation, and even daydreaming. We can win the battle for our attention, Van der Stigchel argues, if we have the knowledge and the tools to do it.

[@bucketofbarnacles]

Thank you for correcting so many myths and pointing to the real culprits of distraction. I agree with your perspective on mindfulness; the positive influence of meditation is evident in my life. And thanks for giving the presentation in English. My conclusions after watching: Less distraction, especially cell phone: more mind wandering and walking.

[@JasonLewisjasonlewis]

Australia (NSW) has recently outlawed phones at use within high schools, both in the classroom as well as playgoud to limit the dysfunction caused by constant access to them. I hope the rest of the world also implements this restriction to benefit the current generation in this area.