By In a world dominated by short-form content like TikTok videos, Facebook and Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, our attention spans are being reshaped, affecting our ability to engage with longer-form media such as feature films. While short videos offer instant gratification and dopamine hits, they may come at the cost of diminished focus and patience for slower-paced storytelling.
A recent study by UK electrical retailer Currys, which involved more than 2,000 UK residents, found that Brits give new TV shows just 34 minutes to impress them. Movies get even less time. Does it confirm evidence that our attention spans are decreasing?
Interestingly, the study found that the average UK resident spends 30 minutes scrolling to find something to watch, with 1 in 10 spending up to 2 hours on this task. For those who watch TV daily, this amounts to 182.5 hours – or over 7 days – annually lost to “choice paralysis.”
Nearly 60% of respondents confessed that they often give up on finding something to watch after extensive scrolling. The main reason, given by 52% of respondents, is the overwhelming number of choices available due to the plethora of streaming services.
However, once a choice has been made, TV viewers make up their minds about whether to keep watching a show within an average of just 34 minutes. When it comes to movies, they decide within 30 minutes. The survey revealed that for 47% of Brits, the storyline is the most crucial factor in selecting a TV programme. This is followed by the cast and actors at 41%, and the genre at 40%, with drama being the preferred choice.
Watching TV and movies: Is our attention span diminishing?
In an article by David Pogue for CBS News, he explores the notion that attention spans are shrinking, evidenced by the popularity of short-form content like TikTok videos and the shortening of newspaper articles and movie shots (the average length of a shot in a Hollywood movie today is under five seconds).
Gloria Mark, an attention researcher at the University of California, Irvine, has found that average attention spans on screens have decreased dramatically. This shortening of attention spans leads to increased errors, longer task completion times, and heightened stress levels.
“We started studying attention span length over 20 years ago,” Mark said who wrote the book, Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity. “We would shadow people with a stopwatch, and every time they shifted attention, we’d click, ‘Stop’. In 2003, we found that attention spans averaged about two-and-a-half minutes on any screen before people switched. In the last five, six years, they’re averaging 47 seconds on a screen.”
A study by Torben J. Kohler highlighted the potential downside of consuming bite-sized content excessively, noting a decline in participants’ ability to focus on daily tasks over time. The rapid-fire stimulation of short clips contrasts sharply with the demands of movies, which require sustained attention and emotional investment. Factors like our need for instant gratification, constant distractions from our devices, and the abundance of content choices contribute to our dwindling patience for slower narratives.
Are our attention spans growing shorter – or are they actually evolving?
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Cornell psychology professor James Cutting argues that attention spans haven’t changed significantly, citing examples of intensive work and prolonged focus on activities like gaming. He attributes shorter movie shots to improved visual literacy rather than diminished attention. Mark suggests that instead of abandoning technology, we should learn to manage it better, offering tips like analysing task-switching triggers and visualising daily accomplishments to maintain focus.
Kohler says to reclaim the magic of immersive movie experiences, it’s essential to strike a balance between indulging in short-form content and dedicating screen-free time for deeper engagement. By being mindful of our consumption habits and making deliberate efforts to disconnect, we can rediscover the joy of getting lost in a captivating film story.
In an article published on Unplugged, the website of Ben Elliott and Hector Hughes who advocate breaking away from modern technology (or “digital detoxing”), the argument is made that to claim attention spans have shortened is to oversimply a complex issue. Rather, say Elliott and Hughes, we’re evolving.
In the piece – “The Goldfish Myth: Are our attention spans really that short?” – the Unplugged founders say that our attention span isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept; it varies depending on the task at hand. While selective attention, such as scrolling through social media, may have shortened, sustained attention can still range from minutes to hours. Our ability to focus is influenced by various factors, including personal motivation and task significance.
The digital landscape has indeed fostered a culture of skimming, making deep focus more challenging. However, this isn’t necessarily a sign of cognitive decline but rather an adaptation to information overload. Similarly, the illusion of declining attention spans in films reflects filmmakers’ strategies to capture audience attention rather than inherent changes in viewers’ abilities.
Instant gratification from social media, the illusion of multitasking, information overload, fear of missing out (FOMO), and constant notifications contribute to difficulty in maintaining focus for extended periods. Yet, while our attention spans may differ from previous generations, it’s not necessarily a decline but rather an evolution.
Indeed, this is supported by Simon Maybin, writing for the BBC. He refers to experts in the field of psychology, such as Dr. Gemma Briggs, who refute the notion of a standardised attention span, emphasising that attention varies depending on task demands and individual factors. Dr. Briggs goes as far as to say the “idea that attention spans are getting shorter is plain wrong.”
Furthermore, the idea that attention spans are dwindling overlooks the complexity of human cognition and adaptation to different stimuli. Studies debunk the notion of a universal attention span, highlighting the task-dependent nature of attention allocation. Additionally, claims about shortening attention spans based on trends like shorter shot lengths in films are misleading; these changes reflect filmmakers’ strategies rather than inherent changes in viewers’ abilities.
Despite the possibility of shortening attention spans, movies are still getting longer (and succeeding)
John Renda, writing on The Dartmouth, explored the phenomenon of increasingly lengthy films in the context of modern entertainment consumption. He reflected on his delayed viewing of Oppenheimer due to its substantial runtime and discussed the film’s commercial success despite its length.
“In an era where many artists tailor their content to our reduced attention spans by making it increasingly shorter, we might expect the length of Oppenheimer to doom its mainstream success. But, of course, this has not been the case. Instead, it has been one of 2023’s most successful films, grossing over $900 million in the global box office so far. While this may seem surprising at first, perhaps it shouldn’t be.” It ended up grossing $974,954,311 worldwide.
Renda highlights how many of the other 2023 box office successes were also movies with runtimes in excess of two-and-a-half hours. For example, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One at 164 minutes and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 at 150 minutes. “The most successful films, in a seemingly counterintuitive way, are trending longer than average run times in the past, not shorter,” he writes.
Renda argues that this trend signifies a shift towards movies as immersive experiences rather than mere products, echoing the epic film era of the 1960s. He suggests that in a culture saturated with quick gratification, longer films offer audiences a unique and engaging escape, underlining the value of investing time in cinematic experiences.
Deciding what to watch: how to overcome choice paralysis
According to Dr George Fieldman, a British Psychological Society Chartered Psychologist and Senior Practitioner in Psychotherapy, choice paralysis occurs when individuals are overwhelmed by the number of options available, leading to difficulty in making a decision.
Choice paralysis often affects individuals with anxiety, who experience significant stress and hesitation as they navigate through their options. For these individuals, the importance of making the right decision is magnified, and they tend to overestimate the consequences of making a wrong choice. This pressure can lead to an overwhelming sense of responsibility and difficulty in making decisions.
Anxiety further intensifies the fear of making wrong choices, even in minor situations like deciding what film to watch at home. The need to ensure their choice is a worthwhile investment of time, which could be spent on other activities, exacerbates their anxiety. This fear can create a paralysing spiral, where the dread of wasting time or making an imperfect decision ultimately prevents any choice from being made at all.
Dr. Fieldman, who is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and a Senior Practitioner in Psychotherapy, a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and an experienced Executive Mentor serving an international client base, has some advice for those of us who find it hard to pick a movie to watch when we’re faced with an almost endless choice.
- Identify Underlying Beliefs
Examine the beliefs driving your anxiety, as there are often deeper concerns at play. This might include fears of wasting time or missing out on something better. Identifying these beliefs can help you challenge and overcome them.
- Reframe Your Mindset
Consider whether the goal is to watch something good or to enjoy time with the people you’re with. These two objectives don’t always need to align. Sometimes, the focus should be on the experience and the quality time spent together.
- Set Realistic Expectations
Recognise that not every movie or TV show will be perfect or exactly what you’re looking for. Enjoy the process of choosing and watching something rather than fixating on finding the ideal option.
- Limit Decision-Making Time
If you tend to overthink choices, set a time limit for making decisions. This can help prevent analysis paralysis and encourage you to trust your instincts more.
A debate that’ll go on
In a landscape dominated by bite-sized social media content and a plethora of streaming options, the debate over attention spans and film length rages on. While some argue that our attention spans are dwindling in the face of constant digital stimulation, others suggest that our ability to focus remains nuanced and task-dependent.
Studies and surveys offer conflicting perspectives. While some data indicates a decline in attention spans, particularly in regards to screen time, others suggest that our capacity for sustained focus remains intact, albeit challenged by the abundance of media choices.
Filmmakers and industry experts weigh in, pointing out that despite concerns about shrinking attention spans, longer films continue to find success. Blockbusters like Oppenheimer and Avengers: Endgame defy conventional wisdom by captivating audiences for extended runtimes, suggesting a hunger for immersive storytelling experiences.
Indeed, as John Renda observes, the most successful films of recent years trend towards longer runtimes, challenging the notion that shorter attention spans necessitate shorter content. Instead, these movies offer audiences an opportunity to escape the barrage of short-form content and immerse themselves in rich, cinematic worlds.
Ultimately, the debate over attention spans and film length reflects broader societal shifts in media consumption habits. As we navigate an increasingly digital landscape, it’s clear that our relationship with media is evolving. Whether our attention spans are truly diminishing or simply adapting to new forms of entertainment remains a topic of ongoing discussion.
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