How does dividing one's attention affect memory encoding? Provide everyday examples of the effects of divided attention on memory formation.

Learning -- memory encoding -- works best when you pay attention. Being distracted while trying to learn - called divided attention in cognitive psychology terms - impairs retention of new items learned. Successful encoding requires a level of attention and, presumably, consciousness. How does divided attention impair memory encoding? This question is still being answered by memory scientists. One hypothesis is that the deeper processing required to learn takes time to complete and divided attention limits the time allotted for encoding. Another hypothesis is that consciousness or awareness is a necessary contributor to memory encoding. Under divided attention situations, one may not be fully conscious of the material being encoded. An everyday example of divided attention: if you are studying for an exam and have your textbook and lecture notes in front of you - but you also have your laptop on and your instant messaging open, you are playing some songs you have just downloaded, and you have a group of students at the next table talking and laughing - you are under a situation of divided attention. Although some students seem to learn well under some situations of divided attention, most will be distracted by the onslaught of multiple attention-attracting items in their immediate vicinity.