Divided attention refers to the ability to focus on multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously. This cognitive process allows individuals to manage several activities at once, such as talking on the phone while cooking or listening to music while studying. However, divided attention can lead to decreased performance in one or more tasks, as the brain has limited resources for processing information. Research shows that divided attention can be influenced by factors like task complexity and individual differences. For example, tasks that require more cognitive effort, such as math problems, may hinder the ability to multitask effectively. Understanding divided attention is important for improving productivity and learning strategies.