Cell phones are often criticized for their disruptive impact on attention and cognition. But a recent study published in BMC Psychology has revealed a surprising effect: the presence of a cell phone actually appeared to improve reaction times in a specific cognitive task that required attentional shifts. Previous research has shown that even the mere presence of a cell phone can affect cognitive tasks by drawing attention away from the task at hand. However, the specifics of how cell phones influence attentional control, the ability to allocate cognitive resources to achieve specific mental goals, remained under-explored. Attentional control is essential for managing multiple cognitive processes simultaneously and efficiently. It’s linked to working memory, the brain’s system for temporarily holding and processing information. Studies have suggested that individuals with higher working memory capacity perform better on tasks requiring attentional control. However, there’s evidence to suggest that high working memory capacity doesn’t always translate to better control, especially in tasks that require switching attention between different visual features, like the Navon task. The Navon task requires participants …