Researchers predicted that a hands-free conversation while driving would be less distracting than texting due to:

When considering why a hands-free conversation while driving is predicted to be less distracting than texting, the concept of task dissimilarity plays a crucial role. Task dissimilarity refers to the differences in cognitive and physical demands between various tasks.

In this scenario, driving is primarily a visual task that requires continuous attention to the road and surroundings. Texting, on the other hand, involves both visual processing (looking at a screen) and motor skills (typing), making it highly demanding and distracting. A hands-free conversation, although it engages auditory processing and language skills, does not require the same level of visual focus as texting. Therefore, the cognitive demands are less likely to interfere significantly with the task of driving.

This fundamental difference in how these tasks draw on cognitive resources helps explain the expectation that a hands-free conversation would be less distracting compared to texting. This is in line with findings in cognitive psychology that emphasize the importance of how tasks can either complement or compete for mental resources, thereby influencing overall performance and safety.