Abstract
In the current study, participants performed an ongoing lexical decision task (LDT) in which they had to classify letter strings as words or non-words. In intention conditions, they also had to encode a postponed intention to remember to make a different response if a pre-specified cue appeared. Attempting to replicate an important finding from Cohen et al. (2008), the interest was in examining how varying cognitive load associated with an intention influences attention to the ongoing task (measured by reaction times). Typically, disengaging from a primary task is perceived as negative as it can lead to performance decrements, however, if disengaging from a primary task helps one to accomplish a desired future goal, then these attentional shifts may in fact be constructive. Results replicated those of Cohen et al. (2008) and showed that participants were very flexible in how they managed attention in the ongoing LDT. Reaction time costs emerged when cognitive load was high and solely for word trials (i.e., not for non-word trials). The implications for mind wandering are that, while our attention may wander when stimuli are present that trigger a suspended or unfulfilled goal, we are better able to stay on task when the stimuli are less goal relevant. Therefore, the decoupling process (e.g., Schooler et al., 2011) might be initiated when postponed goals are accompanied by a high degree of cognitive load and when external stimuli are present that relate to that goal.
Highlights
In everyday life, people strive to attain multiple goals, some that are simple and short-term, and others that are complex, long-term and require repeated efforts
Results from the current study showed that disengaging from a primary task was more likely when (a) there was a high degree of cognitive load associated with a goal, and (b) when stimuli in the ongoing task were relevant to an unresolved goal
Future research should consider how the cognitive load associated with a goal influences mind wandering and what cues initiate decoupling from the ongoing task? The results from the current paper demonstrate that the higher the cognitive load associated with a Prospective memory (PM) intention, the more attention shifts away from the ongoing task
Summary
People strive to attain multiple goals, some that are simple and short-term (e.g., choosing a shampoo brand), and others that are complex, long-term and require repeated efforts (e.g., applying for jobs). Some research (e.g., Goschke and Kuhl, 1993; Marsh et al, 1998; Cohen et al, 2005, 2011) has shown that information related to intentions is highly accessible compared to information that is not future-oriented. If a person must remember to mail an important letter, he or she might be especially sensitive to noticing a mailbox or any stimulus that relates to posting a letter while performing an unrelated activity such as walking the dog. Noticing a stimulus that is relevant to a postponed goal involves a shift of attention from a currently active goal (e.g., walking the dog) to a previously encoded goal (e.g., to mail a letter). Current concerns are cognitive-affective motivational states that are activated once a person commits to a goal and remain active until either the goal is achieved or abandoned (Klinger and Cox, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
