Mind Wandering: Mechanism, Function, and Intervention

Abstract

Mind wandering is an important part of the stream of consciousness, which allows the stream of consciousness to continue when the individual does not process external stimuli or does tasks. The neural mechanism of mind wandering is the current research hotspot. This study involves the brain's default network and two theories of different positions, one is the theory of executive control, and the other is the theory of executive control failure. The study discusses adaptive functioning of mind wandering, especially in terms of creative problem solving. Finally, there is a discussion of how to reduce the negative effects of mind wandering-mindfulness training.

Internet-related Behavior and Mind Wandering

“…The phenomenon of mind-wandering has grown quite an interesting discussion when addressing attention performance. According to control failure theory, mind wandering refers to thoughts that are not attached to the immediate circumstances as the downfall of the executive control process due to taskirrelevant thought (Gong & Ding, 2018) Mind-wandering also befalls when there was an external disruption, and an individual fails to sustain attention at the task (Mendoza et al, 2018) Individuals and task characteristics predict the occurrence of mind-wandering. For example, mind-wandering more commonly occurs and more severe on high-demand tasks and low-working memory capacity individuals.…”

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire (MWQ) for Brazilian Portuguese and evidence of its validity

“…Future studies might investigate the correlation between MWQ scores and positive outcomes, since MW has also been identified as a creative phenomenon contributing to problem-solving and boredom relief. 11 , 16 …”

“… 9 , 10 On the other hand, in spontaneous MW, the individual is not consciously aware of the beginning of such episodes; thus, an automatic disconnection between perception and attention is produced. 1 , 11 From this perspective, MW has been understood as a process opposite to mindfulness. 1 , 12 …”

“… 13 , 14 MW can serve as an adaptive function for individuals by providing benefits related to creative problem-solving, anticipation, planning of future goals (autobiographical planning), and boredom relief. 11 , 15 , 16 …”

فعالیة التدریب على بعض استراتیجیات التعلم المنظم ذاتیًا فی الحد من التجول العقلی لدى طالبات الجامعة منخفضات التحصیل الأکادیمی

“…‫من‬ ‫كل‬ ‫إلى‬ ‫العقلي‬ ‫التجول‬ ‫متغير‬ ‫حول‬ ‫العلمي‬ ‫البحث‬ ‫في‬ ‫يادة‬ ‫الر‬ ‫وتعود‬ (Singer & Antrobus, 1972;Giambra, 1995;Klinger, 1999) ‫المفهوم‬ ‫استجالء‬ ‫و‬ ‫انتشار‬ ‫في‬ ‫األكبر‬ ‫الفضل‬ ‫أن‬ ‫إال‬ ‫من‬ ‫كل‬ ‫جهود‬ ‫إلى‬ ‫يرجع‬ ‫لقياسه‬ ‫أسس‬ ‫ووضع‬ (Schooler et al, 2011;Smallwood, 2013;Mooneyham & Schooler, 2013 et al, 2016, pp.710-720;Gong & Ding, 2018, pp.2663-2664 .…”