Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that a sad mood and sleep deprivation increase mind wandering, but it is unclear whether these associations reflect reduced effort in concentrating on the task at hand or diminished cognitive control. In an internet-based experiment, participants completed a sleep disturbance questionnaire followed by a complex span task and a 2-back task with thought-sampling probes. Subsequently, participants underwent a positive, neutral, or negative mood induction prior to repeating the 2-back. The results (N = 504) replicated the finding of increased task-unrelated thoughts following sad mood induction, B = 0.56 (SE = 0.14), p < 0.01, d = 0.31. Unguided thoughts were increased following sad mood induction, B = 0.31 (0.13), p = 0.02, but working memory did not significantly moderate this association (p = 0.31). People reported a lower degree of trying to concentrate on the 2-back after the sad mood induction, B = −0.07 (0.04), p = 0.04, but actual performance was not affected (p = 0.46). Sleep disturbances showed small associations with task-unrelated, B = 0.23 (0.08), p < 0.01, and unguided thoughts, B = 0.32 (0.08), p < 0.01. This study strengthens the evidence that a sad mood and poor sleep relate to mind wandering.
Highlights
Previous studies have indicated that a sad mood and sleep deprivation increase mind wandering, but it is unclear whether these associations reflect reduced effort in concentrating on the task at hand or diminished cognitive control
There were 60 participants (10% of the total sample) who failed to comply with the Operation span (OSPAN) task instructions of having at least 85% accuracy on the secondary task
Using 8-min mood induction procedures administered online, we obtained a small-to-medium effect of sad mood induction on task-unrelated thoughts, replicating previous laboratory research[3] and contributing with a larger N and pre-registered analyses. We extended this effect of sad mood induction to increased unguided thoughts and reduced tendency to concentrate on the task at hand, these associations were very small
Summary
Previous studies have indicated that a sad mood and sleep deprivation increase mind wandering, but it is unclear whether these associations reflect reduced effort in concentrating on the task at hand or diminished cognitive control. Experience sampling studies in ecological settings show associations between momentary negative affect and task-unrelated thoughts in daily life[1,13] It is not clear whether a sad mood increases task-unrelated thoughts by reducing effort or controllability of thoughts (e.g., by increasing cognitive load or interfering with inhibitive cognitive processes), or through other means. Participants who undergo mood induction procedures may give less priority to the neutral monotonous tasks they are asked to complete in favour of emotionally salient self-processing Another view is that mood states modulate executive cognitive control functioning[16,17], which might result in greater difficulty preventing task-unrelated thoughts, unguided (i.e., spontaneous) thoughts[18]. If happy mood increases motivation or commitment to current tasks, it is possible that it instead increases the degree people are trying to concentrate on the task at hand and reduces task-unrelated thoughts
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
