What activity were participants in the doodling group instructed to do during the study?

• A. Listen without engaging in any activity
• B. Draw shapes while listening to a message
• C. Take notes on the information provided
• D. Color in pre-defined shapes

Answer: (B)

Participants in the doodling group were instructed to draw shapes while listening to a message. This activity was designed to explore how doodling can aid in processing information and maintaining attention during a task. By engaging in this creative and seemingly simple act of drawing, individuals might find it easier to focus on the auditory information being presented, potentially enhancing memory retention and comprehension. The act of doodling serves as a light cognitive engagement that keeps the participant's mind active, making it less likely for them to drift off or zone out during the listening session.

The engagement with drawing shapes allows for a dual-task environment, where the individual can listen and process the spoken information while simultaneously channeling their energy into a non-intrusive physical task.