Has it been proven that human have only 20 minutes concentration span?
In my opinion, it is entirely up to the individual. You have to do what you set your mind to do.
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This idea has been an oversimplified notion. We must remember that attention span varies significantly from person to person and depends on various factors including age, individual characteristics and the nature of the task.
- Jamari AndrewsI am a certified bi-lingual TEFL English teacher! Let me show you the keys to confidence & fluency!
The attention span of the average human varies depending on the person. Some people have super short attention spans, whereas others are better at retaining information and paying attention for longer periods of time.
- Lilit
From my perspective, it largely depends on the type of content one has to concentrate on. The more relevant the content is to a listener/reader/viewer, the longer they can stay focused. Another factor might be how said listener/reader/viewer perceives information most effectively. Say an auditory learner might find it easier to stay concentrated on what they hear rather than on what they see written in a text. Having tried the Pomodoro technique myself, I would say it has never worked for me because I personally prefer to maintain my concentration for longer stretches of time when I'm hyperfocused on a task instead of sticking to 25-minute stretches of focused work and 5-minute breaks. To put it in a nutshell, it's very personal and depends on a wide variety of factors.
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It is a common assertion, but it is necessary to understand that this is a pure generalization and not a rule that applies to everyone in every situation.
If that is what has been scientifically verified by those who are experts in that field, I believe that is right but usually, such statistics are based on an average human being meaning that others can have a higher concentration span, and others lower concentration span. In addition to this, individuals have other factors that can enhance their concentration level.
I am taking a bit of a flyer here, I think research had proven the 20 minutes, but you are also correct that it depends on subject matter and teaching styles.
Yes, as our minds were designed to focus more for short bursts of time, with shorter rest periods in between, instead of focusing for one long shot. That's why I always advise my students to study for 25 minutes, then take a five-minute break, and after that start another studying session. One study cycle should have 3 study sessions, followed by a 30-minute rest.
