Our ability to multitask—focus on multiple tasks simultaneously—is one of the most critical functions of our cognitive system. This capability has shown to have relations to cognition and personality in empirical studies, which have received much attention recently. This review article integrates the available findings to examine how individual differences in multitasking behavior are linked with different cognitive constructs and personality traits to conceptualize what multitasking behavior represents. In this review, we highlight the methodological differences and theoretical conceptions. Cognitive constructs including executive functions (i.e., shifting, updating, and inhibition), working memory, relational integration, divided attention, reasoning, and prospective memory were investigated. Concerning personality, the traits of polychronicity, impulsivity, and the five-factor model were considered. A total of 43 studies met the inclusion criteria and entered the review. The research synthesis directs us to propose two new conceptual models to explain multitasking behavior as a psychometric construct. The first model demonstrates that individual differences in multitasking behavior can be explained by cognitive abilities. The second model proposes that personality traits constitute a moderating effect on the relation between multitasking behavior and cognition. Finally, we provide possible future directions for the line of research.

我们的多任务处理能力——同时专注于多项任务——是我们认知系统最关键的功能之一。这种能力在最近受到广泛关注的实证研究中表明与认知和人格有关。这篇评论文章整合了现有的研究结果，以研究多任务处理行为中的个体差异如何与不同的认知结构和人格特质相关联，从而概念化多任务处理行为所代表的含义。在这篇综述中，我们强调了方法论上的差异和理论概念。认知结构包括执行功能（即转移、更新和抑制）、工作记忆、关系整合、注意力分散、推理和前瞻性记忆。关于人格，多时性的特征，冲动性和五因素模型被考虑在内。共有43项研究符合纳入标准进入综述。研究综合指导我们提出两个新的概念模型，以将多任务处理行为解释为心理测量结构。第一个模型表明，多任务处理行为中的个体差异可以用认知能力来解释。第二个模型提出人格特质对多任务行为与认知之间的关系构成调节作用。最后，我们为研究线提供了未来可能的方向。研究综合指导我们提出两个新的概念模型，以将多任务处理行为解释为心理测量结构。第一个模型表明，多任务处理行为中的个体差异可以用认知能力来解释。第二个模型提出人格特质对多任务行为与认知之间的关系构成调节作用。最后，我们为研究线提供了未来可能的方向。研究综合指导我们提出两个新的概念模型，以将多任务处理行为解释为心理测量结构。第一个模型表明，多任务处理行为中的个体差异可以用认知能力来解释。第二个模型提出人格特质对多任务行为与认知之间的关系构成调节作用。最后，我们为研究线提供了未来可能的方向。