Dynamic prioritisation of attention when external and internal demands compete

The study used a combined perception and working-memory task to directly measure how participants divide attention across external and internal information. Traditional research typically studies attention in perception or working memory separately, leaving cross-domain competition unexplored. This preprint addresses that gap by quantifying behavioral trade-offs and likely reaction time or accuracy patterns. The results have implications for understanding cognitive overload in multitasking and for refining models of executive control. As a preprint, the work has not yet undergone peer review, so conclusions should be considered preliminary.