Spontaneous Mind Wandering Research Articles

Spontaneous mind-wandering tendencies linked to cognitive flexibility in young adults

Despite that previous studies have investigated mind wandering using task-switching paradigms, the association between the tendency to mind wander and cognitive flexibility remains largely unexplored. The present study investigated the relationship between self-reported spontaneous mind-wandering tendencies and task-switching performance in young adults. Seventy-nine university students performed a forced task-switching and a voluntary task-switching paradigm and then completed a battery of questionnaires. The results showed that compared to participants with lower spontaneous mind-wandering tendencies, participants with higher spontaneous mind-wandering tendencies demonstrated better performance (evidenced by smaller switch cost reaction times) in the forced task-switching paradigm despite indicating more mind wandering during task performance. Performance on the voluntary task-switching paradigm, on the other hand, did not differ between the two groups. The findings in the forced task-switching paradigm indicate a link between mind wandering and cognitive flexibility, thus providing initial evidence in favor of a role for switching in mind wandering.

Executive failure hypothesis explains the trait-level association between motivation and mind wandering

Mind wandering (MW) is commonly observable in daily life. Early studies established an association between motivation and MW at the trait level using a questionnaire survey. Considering that the mechanism of state-level association between them is known, this study was conducted to replicate the trait-level association and determine its possible mechanisms. Two independent samples were analysed using several questionnaires, which included motivation and MW. General one- and multi-dimensional scales were administered for both variables. Besides the successful replication of the significant association between motivation and MW at the trait level, we found that people with low levels of executive function experience high rates of spontaneous MW. This finding indicates that the underlying mechanism of trait-level association is the executive failure hypothesis, which postulates that a failure of executive control during task-related objectives evokes MW. Further, the motivation–MW relationship exhibits a different psychological basis at the state and trait levels.

Educating Through Attentional States of Consciousness, an Effective Way to Develop Creative Potential?

Researchers have recently turned their focus to a specific area: the links between altered states of consciousness and creativity. A spectrum of attentional states of consciousness exists, from hypnagogia and mind wandering to mindfulness and flow. These attentional states of consciousness are present during a variety of activities (e.g., sports, music, painting, writing, video games, theater, and meditation) as well as in situations characterized by boredom. They are also present in many professional fields and practices (e.g., education and teaching). Moreover, researchers and educators focus sometimes on only one state of consciousness (such as mind wandering) or only on attention, and do not question relationships with others (such as mindfulness or flow) or the links with intention, the different levels of consciousness involved and the changes in perception of time, self and space. Additionally, as we know that a state of consciousness rarely occurs alone or that it can have two forms (such as spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering), we propose a global approach allowing to grasp the stakes and perspectives of what we call attentional states of consciousness. Thus, to our knowledge, this is the first theoretical review highlighting the historical, empirical, theorical and conceptual relationships between creativity, attention, mind wandering, mindfulness and flow by offering concrete and empirical avenues and bases for reflection about educating for creativity and developing creative potential.

On the relation between mind wandering, PTSD symptomology, and self-control

Here we examined the association between mind wandering, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology, and self-control. In a large undergraduate sample (N = 5,387), we assessed trait-levels of spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering, self-control, and PTSD symptomology. Results indicated that, while PTSD symptomology was uniquely positively associated with spontaneous mind wandering, it was negatively associated with deliberate mind wandering and self-control. These findings suggest that the mechanism(s) underlying everyday mind wandering may also underlie PTSD symptomology and traumatic intrusions. Moreover, the unique negative association between PTSD symptomatology and self-control suggests that PTSD is characterized not only by impairments in inhibiting unwanted thoughts (as indexed by mind wandering), but also by impairments in inhibiting other unwanted behaviors.

Event-related brain dynamics during mind wandering in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: An experience-sampling approach

Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report increased spontaneous mind wandering (MW) compared to control adults. Since MW is associated with ADHD severity and functional impairment, elucidating the brain mechanisms underlying MW may inform new interventions targeting MW and point to neural markers to monitor their efficacy. Population-based electroencephalographic (EEG) studies suggest that weaker event-related decreases in occipital alpha power characterise periods of MW, but no study has examined event-related brain oscillations during MW in individuals with ADHD. Using an experience-sampling method, we compared adults with ADHD (N = 23) and controls (N = 25) on event-related EEG measures of power modulations and phase consistency during two tasks with high and low demands on working memory and sustained attention, and during periods of MW and task focus. Compared to controls, individuals with ADHD showed weaker alpha power decreases during high working memory demands and across sustained attention demands, weaker theta power increases and phase consistency across working memory demands and during low sustained attention demands, and weaker beta power decreases during low working memory demands. These EEG patterns suggest broadly deficient attentional and motor response processes in ADHD. During MW episodes, adults with ADHD showed weaker alpha power decreases in the sustained attention task and lower theta phase consistency in the working memory task compared to controls. These findings suggest that atypical EEG patterns thought to reflect reduced inhibition of task-irrelevant processes and inconsistent stimulus processing underlie increased MW in adults with ADHD and may be useful for future real-time monitoring of treatment effects.

The self and its internal thought: In search for a psychological baseline

Self-consciousness is neuronally associated with the brain’s default mode network as its “neuronal baseline” while, psychologically the self is characterized by different thought modes and dynamics. We here raise the question whether they reflect the “psychological baseline” of the self. We investigate the psychological relationship of the self with thought modes (rumination, reflection) and mind-wandering dynamics (spontaneous, deliberate), as well as with depressive symptomatology. Our findings show a relationship between self-consciousness and i) mind-wandering dynamics, and ii) thought functional modes, in their respective forms. At the same time, self-consciousness is more related to spontaneous mind-wandering than deliberate and to rumination than reflection. Furthermore, iii) rumination acts as a mediator between self-consciousness and spontaneous mind-wandering dynamics; and iv) the relationship between high levels of self-consciousness and depressive symptoms is mediated by ruminative modes and spontaneous mind-wandering dynamics. Together, these findings support the view of the self as “psychological baseline”.

Predictors of obsessive-compulsive symptomology: mind wandering about the past and future.

PurposeObsessive and compulsive tendencies are known to occur in the general population and involve worry around specific concerns (obsessions) and an urge to resolve the concern with thoughts or behaviours (compulsions). Spontaneous, but not deliberate, mind wandering experiences (when attention turns to internal mentation), have been found to predict obsessive– compulsive tendencies [Seli, P., Risko, E.F., Purdon, C. & Smilek, D. (2017). Intrusive thoughts: linking spontaneous mind wandering and OCD symptomatology. Psychological Research, 81, 392–398. 10.1007/s00426-016-0756-3]. Recent cognitive theory suggests a particular role for future-oriented spontaneous thought in obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms. Thus, we hypothesised that future-oriented rather than past-oriented spontaneous mind wandering would predict OC symptoms, such that more future-oriented mind wandering would be associated with increases in OC symptoms.MethodsIn an online survey design (nonclinical sample of 104 adults), participants completed three measures: Mind wandering: Spontaneous (MW-S) and Deliberate (MW-D) (Carriere, Seli & Smilek, 2013); Involuntary Autobiographical Memory Inventory (Berntsen, Rubin & Salgado, 2015); and Dimensional Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (DOCS) (Abramowitz et al., 2010). We adopted a linear regression approach to examine our hypotheses.ResultsWe provided the first replication of the finding that OC symptoms are predicted by the frequency of spontaneous (but not deliberate) mind wandering, with an underlying positive relationship. Additionally, we found that temporality of spontaneous thought had different predictive effects as a function of the dimension of OC symptoms (i.e., responsibility, unacceptable thoughts, need for symmetry/completeness). ConclusionsWe found moderate support for our temporality hypothesis, which highlights how the construct of temporality can add to our understanding of OC symptoms. The present study also adds to recent conceptual debates regarding mind wandering. We suggest new cognitive and methodological approaches to enhance the understanding of obsessive–compulsive disorder, opening new avenues for clinical and experimental research.

A time to wander: exploring associations between components of circadian functioning, mind wandering typology, and time-of-day

ABSTRACT Eveningness has previously been associated with more frequent mind wandering (MW). The current study re-investigated this association for components of circadian functioning, and MW typology. Questionnaire measures of Morning Affect, Eveningness, and (amplitude) Distinctness, deliberate and spontaneous MW, problem-solving daydreams, sleep quality, personality, affect, and life satisfaction were completed by 265 university students (aged 18–33, mean = 20.78), who also reported the peak time for daily MW and problem-solving daydreams. Spontaneous MW correlated with low Morning Affect and stronger Distinctness; these all correlated with poor sleep quality, less conscientiousness, less positive affect, less life satisfaction, more neuroticism, and more negative affect. Problem-solving daydreams positively correlated with Morning Affect. Significant mediators between morningness-eveningness and spontaneous MW were sleep quality, positive affect, and conscientiousness, which were also significant with Morning Affect as the predictor for spontaneous MW; sleep quality and positive affect were significant with Distinctness as the predictor for spontaneous MW. Exploratory path analysis indicated inter-relationships between Eveningness, Morning Affect, subjective sleep quality, conscientiousness, spontaneous MW, and negative affect. Spontaneous and deliberate MW showed some evidence of peak frequency at the non-preferred time-of-day. These results indicate that components of circadian functioning have varying relationships with different types of mind wandering/daydreaming.

Deliberate and spontaneous mind wandering in Chinese students: Associations with mindfulness, affect, personality, and life satisfaction

Distinguishing between deliberate and spontaneous mind wandering (MW) allows for exploration of unique associations with each form of MW. The current study developed Chinese translations of the Mind Wandering: Deliberate (MW-D) and Mind Wandering: Spontaneous (MW-S) scales, and associations with mindfulness, positive and negative affect, personality, and life satisfaction were investigated. A sample of 261 Chinese university students completed the questionnaire survey. Exploratory factor analysis of the Chinese MW-D/MW-S scales showed all items loading strongly on the expected scale, and there was good internal consistency. Consistent with previous findings, spontaneous MW was more strongly (negatively) associated with mindfulness (acting with awareness), and (positively) with negative affect, while deliberate MW was more strongly associated with openness. Furthermore, spontaneous MW was more strongly associated (negatively) with agreeableness and positive affect. Both deliberate and spontaneous MW were negatively correlated with conscientiousness. Mindfulness was a significant mediator in the relationship between spontaneous MW and negative affect, but it was not significant in the relationship between deliberate MW and negative affect after controlling for spontaneous MW. These results indicate that the Chinese MW-S/MW-D scales may be useful tools in research investigating correlates of spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering.

Mindfulness‐based stress reduction training modulates striatal and cerebellar connectivity

Mindfulness is a meditation practice frequently associated with changes in subjective evaluation of cognitive and sensorial experience, as well as with modifications of brain activity and morphometry. Aside from the anatomical localization of functional changes induced by mindfulness practice, little is known about changes in functional and effective functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) connectivity. Here we performed a connectivity fMRI analysis in a group of healthy individuals participating in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training program. Data from both a "mind-wandering" and a "meditation" state were acquired before and after the MBSR course. Results highlighted decreased local connectivity after training in the right anterior putamen and insula during spontaneous mind-wandering and the right cerebellum during the meditative state. A further effective connectivity analysis revealed (a) decreased modulation by the anterior cingulate cortex over the anterior portion of the putamen, and (b) a change in left and right posterior putamen excitatory input and inhibitory output with the cerebellum, respectively. Results suggest a rearrangement of dorsal striatum functional and effective connectivity in response to mindfulness practice, with changes in cortico-subcortical-cerebellar modulatory dynamics. Findings might be relevant for the understanding of widely documented mindfulness behavioral effects, especially those related to pain perception.

Validation of the German Version of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS-G).

Increasing evidence shows that unintentional mind wandering is linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and that its frequency contributes to symptom severity and functional impairment in ADHD. However, empirical data on mind wandering in adult ADHD are still scarce, and a validated scale to assess mind wandering in German adult ADHD patients is lacking. The primary aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the German version of the recently published Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS-G) in terms of factorial structure and factor stability, internal consistency and construct validity. Analyses were performed in 128 adults with ADHD, clinical and healthy controls. As described for the original English 15-item version of the scale, we found lowest item-total-correlations for items 6, 10 and 14 with item-total correlation of all: 0.54/ADHD: 0.32 (item 6), all: 0.55/ADHD: 0.39 (item 10) and all: 0.11/ADHD: -0.04 (item 14). Item-total correlations for the remaining items were 0.65-0.86 and Cronbach Alpha was 0.96 indicating good internal consistency of the 12-item version of scale, on which we based all further analyses. Principal component analysis indicated a one- and two- factorial scale structure respectively explaining 71.7 % and 78.7 % of variance. Both factors showed good stability with lower stability of the factor-2 solution if sample size was reduced. The two-factorial solution also had many cross-loadings and a strong correlation of both factors in confirmatory factorial analysis (rf1f2=0.87). It probably describes related and interdependent, but not distinct facets of mind wandering, which strongly argues for the one factorial structure of the scale. Mean MEWS-G score in ADHD was 23.77±7.85 compared to 7.64±7.27 in controls (p<.0001). According to ROC, the optimal cut-off point to discriminate ADHD and controls is at MEWS-G score=13. On the symptom level, MEWS-G score was correlated with ADHD, depressive and total psychiatric symptom scores, on the personality level with neuroticsm and negatively with conscientiousness and on the functional level with social interaction difficulties and impaired self-efficacy. In summary, our study shows that MEWS-G is a reliable, valid instrument to assess spontaneous mind wandering in adult ADHD and to discriminate between ADHD and controls.

Does the type of mind wandering matter? Extending the inquiry about the role of mind wandering in the IT use experience

PurposeThis study sought to distinguish characteristics of cognitive processes while using information technology. In particular, it identifies similarities and differences between mind wandering and cognitive absorption in technology-related settings in an effort to develop a deeper understanding of the role that mind wandering plays when using information technology.Design/methodology/approachData was gathered using an online survey including responses from 619 English-speaking adults in 2019. We applied a confirmatory factor analysis and used a robust variant of maximum likelihood estimator with robust standard errors and a Satorra–Bentler scaled test statistic. The data analysis procedure was conducted with the R environment using the psych package for descriptive analysis, and lavaan to investigate the factorial structure and the underlying correlations.FindingsWe discuss the benefits of carefully differentiating between cognitive processes in Information Systems research and depict avenues how future research can address current shortcomings with a careful investigation of neurophysiological antecedents.Originality/valueTo date, mind wandering has been explored as a single phenomenon, though research in reference disciplines has begun to distinguish varieties and how they distinctly impact behavior. We demonstrate that this distinction is also important for our discipline by showing how two specific types of mind wandering (i.e. deliberate and spontaneous mind wandering) are differently correlated with sub-dimensions of cognitive absorption, a well-studied construct.

Mindfulness as a Mediator Between Mind-Wandering and Creative Abilities

In this study, the integrated roles of mind wandering (MW) and mindfulness on creative thinking were explored even though these have been regarded previously as separate and antithetical constructs. the current study attempted to refute this notion that mindfulness sit on one end of a spectrum apart from which mind-wandering sits opposite. Instead, it argued that mind-wandering is a core human state, and that healthy human functioning sits in the balance between MW and mindfulness. <i>Objective:</i> The study hypothesized that mindfulness mediates the relationship between MW and creative abilities (fluency, flexibility, originality and maintenance of direction). In particular, MW was analyzed in the light of a recent approach that posits a differentiation between deliberate and spontaneous MW. Mindfulness was analyzed by means of distinguishing its five different constitutional dimensions: observing, acting with awareness, describing, non-reactivity, and non-judging. <i>Materials and methods</i>: The participants comprised 321 undergraduate students aged between 18 and 23 years and enrolled at Cairo and Helwan universities in Egypt. The participants completed deliberate and spontaneous MW questionnaires, a mindfulness questionnaire, and subscales from the Arabic version of Guilford’s creative thinking battery and Torrance’s creative thinking battery. <i>Results:</i> The results revealed that mindfulness partially mediates the relationship between deliberate MW and creative abilities—namely, verbal and figural fluency, verbal flexibility, and maintenance of direction—whereas it completely mediates the relationship between deliberate MW and figural flexibility. However, mindfulness did not mediate the relationship between spontaneous MW and creative abilities.

Wandering minds in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and borderline personality disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) have overlapping symptoms. We proposed that excessive spontaneous mind wandering (MW-S) might reflect a component of psychopathology that distinguishes ADHD from BPD. Using a questionnaire measure of MW-S and an experience sampling method, we investigated MW-S in daily life, in 28 ADHD, 19 BPD, 22 comorbid ADHD+BPD, and 29 control females. The clinical groups reported heightened frequency and intensity of MW-S compared to controls, but no differences from each other. When controlling for depression and anxiety, significant differences only persisted between controls and ADHD, who also showed elevated intensity of MW-S compared to BPD and comorbid ADHD+BPD. We found no MW-S instability differences amongst clinical cases as well as cases versus controls. Negative content of MW-S was higher in BPD and comorbid ADHD+BPD compared to controls, with no differences between ADHD and controls. When controlling for depression/anxiety, the differences between BPD and comorbid ADHD+BPD and controls dissipated. MW-S is a trans-diagnostic process present in both ADHD and BPD. Yet, the underlying mechanisms of this experience may be driven by anxiety/depression in BPD but reflect a core process in ADHD.

Electrophysiological correlates of spontaneous mind wandering in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

We recently hypothesised that increased spontaneous mind wandering (MW-S) reflects a core process underlying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous studies show that individuals with ADHD and neurotypical individuals with increased MW-S display similar cognitive-performance and electrophysiological (EEG) impairments in attentional processes. However, the cognitive-EEG markers associated with increased MW-S in ADHD remain poorly understood. We therefore investigated such markers in a sample of 69 sex- and age-matched adults with ADHD and 29 controls during the Sustained Attention to Response Task. We compared task performance and EEG measures (P3, time-frequency brain-oscillations) of attentional processes between groups, and examined their association with a validated self-report questionnaire of MW-S. Finally, we tested the hypothesis that MW-S and ADHD diagnosis relate to the same cognitive-EEG impairments using a hierarchical regression model. Compared to controls, adults with ADHD showed attenuations in P3, event-related alpha and beta suppression during response inhibition (No-Go trials), and theta power activations during response execution (Go trials), as well as increased reaction time variability and more commission/omission errors. MW-S was also continuously associated with most cognitive-EEG measures related to ADHD. The hierarchical regressions on measures associated with both ADHD diagnosis and MW-S showed that MW-S did not explain additional variance in the cognitive-EEG markers (except for beta suppression) beyond ADHD diagnosis, and vice versa. These findings are consistent with our hypothesis that ADHD diagnosis and MW-S share common neural deficits, and that MW-S may reflect a core symptom of the disorder.

Distinguishing spontaneous from deliberate mind wandering in adolescents: The role of attentional control and depressive symptoms.

Research on individual differences in mind wandering (MW) in healthy adults has supported the separation of spontaneous and deliberate MW given their different association with a number of psychological traits. This study aimed to further test this distinction by investigating the associations of the two types of MW with attentional control and depressive symptomatology in adolescents. Data were collected on 439 9-10th graders, who completed measures of spontaneous and deliberate MW, distractibility, difficulty in attentional shifting, and depressive symptomatology. A multivariate three-level multiple regression revealed that distractibility was a significant predictor of only spontaneous MW, whereas difficulties in attentional shifting and depressive symptoms were significant predictors of both types of MW. However, the last two variables were stronger predictors for spontaneous than for deliberate MW. These findings provide support for the distinction, beyond their theoretical and empirical overlap, between the two types of MW also in adolescents and suggest the independent contribution of cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms. Statement of contribution What is already known? Studies on mind wandering (MW) in adults have shown that spontaneous and deliberate MW reflect dissociable cognitive experiences. In adults, trait-level tendency to spontaneous MW seems to reflect difficulties in controlled attentional processing. The majority of studies on MW in adolescents have treated this phenomenon as unitary and found a relation with negative affect, stress, and self-esteem. What does this study add? This is the first study to examine cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms as correlates of spontaneous and deliberate MW in adolescents. We found that distractibility is a significant predictor of only spontaneous MW. Difficulties in attentional shifting and depressive symptoms are significant predictors of both types of MW, although stronger for spontaneous MW. The findings support the distinction, beyond their theoretical and empirical overlap, between the two types of MW also in adolescents and call for future studies on the function of deliberate and spontaneous MW across development.

Mind-wandering in children with and without ADHD.

Mind-wandering (MW) is a commonly experienced phenomenon, characterized by focus of attention drifting away from the present situation to intrinsically originated thoughts. Studies in adults show that MW is related to ADHD symptoms, but this association is understudied in children. We set out to investigate the associations of MW in children with and without ADHD and to simultaneously validate the self-report Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS) in children. We used a cross-sectional, correlational, design to examine the research questions. The sample consisted of 82 children (61 boys) aged 8-13years (m=10.46), of which 35 had a diagnosis of ADHD. Children rated MW; parents and teachers rated ADHD symptoms, emotion regulation and academic achievement. Working memory was assessed with Digit Span. MW was positively related to ADHD symptoms, and the MEWS could differentiate between cases and controls with a sensitivity of 0.71 and specificity of 0.81. Psychometric properties of the MEWS were satisfactory. In addition, MW contributed independently to working memory (R2 Δ=.05, p=.01) and emotion regulation (R2 Δ=.04, p=.04) beyond ADHD symptoms. MW is elevated in children with ADHD and contributes to functional domains. The MEWS is a valid tool for assessing MW in children, and the results are mostly comparable to that of adults (Mowlem et al., 2016, Journal of Attention Disorders, 23, 624), suggesting a similar relationship of MW to ADHD across the lifespan. Spontaneous mind-wandering is elevated in children with ADHD compared to children without a diagnosis. Elevated spontaneous mind-wandering predicts lower working memory, emotion regulation and academic achievement beyond ADHD symptoms, IQ and socio-economic status. Clinicians should consider evaluating excessive spontaneous mind-wandering and targeting it as an important outcome when treating children with ADHD. The MEWS is a valid tool for assessing excessive mind-wandering in children.

Psychometric Properties of the Spontaneous and Deliberate Mind Wandering Scales

Abstract. Thinking about task-unrelated matters (mind wandering) is related to cognition and well-being. However, the relations between mind wandering and other psychological variables may depend on whether the former commence spontaneously or deliberately. The current two studies investigated the psychometric properties of the Spontaneous and Deliberate Mind Wandering Scales (SDMWS; Carriere, Seli, &amp; Smilek, 2013 ). Study 1 evaluated the stability of the scales over 2 weeks ( N = 284 at Time 1), whereas Study 2 ( N = 323) evaluated their relations to Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms, Openness, Social desirability, and experience-sampling reports of intentional and unintentional mind wandering during an online cognitive task. The results indicated that the SDMWS were better fitted with a two-factor than a one-factor solution, although the fit was improved with the exclusion of one item. The scales exhibited strong measurement invariance across gender and time, and moderately high test-retest reliability. Spontaneous mind wandering predicted Generalized anxiety disorder and experience-sampling reports of unintentional mind wandering, whereas Deliberate mind wandering predicted Openness and experience-sampling reports of intentional mind wandering. Furthermore, Spontaneous mind wandering showed a negative association with social desirability of weak-to-medium strength. In sum, the scales generally showed favorable psychometric properties.

Mind Wandering (Internal Distractibility) in ADHD: A Literature Review

Objective: Mind wandering, the unintended shifting of attention from a task, has been previously associated with symptoms of ADHD. To this end, we conducted a literature search to investigate the association between mind wandering and ADHD. Method: We conducted a systematic search of the literature of relevant articles assessing mind wandering and ADHD in PubMed, PsycINFO/OVID, and Medline. Included were original articles in English that had operationalized definitions of ADHD and mind wandering, adequate sample size, and reliance on statistical evaluation of findings. Excluded were reviews, opinions, and case reports. Results: Only nine studies met our a priori inclusion and exclusion criteria (N = 8 in adults; N = 1 in pediatrics). Findings suggest that ADHD is frequently associated with spontaneous mind wandering and when present heralds more functional impairments. Conclusion: The limited research on mind wandering in ADHD indicates that it is prevalent and morbid supporting further research on the subject.

Distraction and Temporal Order in Narrative Situation Models

ABSTRACTNarrative comprehension requires the allocation of resources to the construction of a situation model describing the events and circumstances in the narrative. While mind wandering, fewer resources may be devoted to this task. In the present research, we assessed whether the effects of distraction on memory for narrative event order are qualitatively similar to those of mind wandering. In two experiments, participants read passages, sometimes with auditory noise, and after each passage rated the extent to which they were on task. Both auditory noise and spontaneous mind wandering affected temporal order judgements for narrative events. However, noise also decreased on-task rating, and temporal order memory was a linear function of on-task rating regardless of auditory noise condition. We conclude that the effects of spontaneous mind wandering and auditory noise on memory for temporal order can both be understood as a withdrawal of resources devoted to situation model construction.