Abstract

The purpose of the current study is to improve the understanding and prediction of multitasking performance using non-cognitive predictors. The paper has two main goals. The first goal is to improve upon the models and methodology used to explore the relationships between non-cognitive variables and multitasking performance. To this end, I review non-cognitive predictors of multitasking performance and highlight a major methodological issue. The second goal is to develop a new measure of polychronicity, a non-cognitive variable that shows promise as a predictor of multitasking performance because it reflects an individual's preference for engaging in multitasking. Following a discussion of issues with current definitions and measurement of polychronicity, I present the details of the development and evaluation of a new measure of polychronicity. I then present a study that tests pieces of a theoretical model that contain relationships between polychronicity, other non-cognitive predictors and multitasking performance. Though the new measure of polychronicity is not found to be a significant predictor of multitasking performance, the measure shows acceptable reliability and validity and does predict outcomes such as enjoyment of the multitasking simulation and the choice to multitask again. In addition, the study shows evidence of having addressed the methodological issue present in previous research.