Visual Attention and Goal Pursuit

Abstract

Mindset theory suggests that a deliberative mindset entails openness to information in one's environment, whereas an implemental mindset entails filtering of information. We hypothesized that this open- versus closed-mindedness influences individuals' breadth of visual attention. In Studies 1 and 2, we induced an implemental or deliberative mindset, and measured breadth of attention using participants' length estimates of x-winged Müller-Lyer figures. Both studies demonstrate a narrower breadth of attention in the implemental mindset than in the deliberative mindset. In Study 3, we manipulated participants' mindsets and measured the breadth of attention by tracking eye movements during scene perception. Implemental mindset participants focused on foreground objects, whereas deliberative mindset participants attended more evenly to the entire scene. Our findings imply that deliberative versus implemental mindsets already operate at the level of visual attention.

Promoting the translation of intentions into action by implementation intentions: behavioral effects and physiological correlates

“…This overlap between neurophysiological and cognitive approaches in research on intention formation corresponds with the overlap of these approaches observed in the intentional control of action by implementation intentions. Moreover, intention formation has been shown to impact the breadth of visual attention ( Büttner et al, 2014 ). Using an eye-tracker, Büttner et al (2014 , Study 3) demonstrated that participants who had thought about how to act on a self-set goal (i.e., who were in an implemental mindset, which is active after an intention has been formed) subsequently focused on central objects in front of natural backgrounds (e.g., a train in front of mountains) more often than participants who had thought about whether they should commit themselves to a goal or not (i.e., who were in a deliberative mindset, which is active before an intention has been formed).…”

“…Moreover, intention formation has been shown to impact the breadth of visual attention ( Büttner et al, 2014 ). Using an eye-tracker, Büttner et al (2014 , Study 3) demonstrated that participants who had thought about how to act on a self-set goal (i.e., who were in an implemental mindset, which is active after an intention has been formed) subsequently focused on central objects in front of natural backgrounds (e.g., a train in front of mountains) more often than participants who had thought about whether they should commit themselves to a goal or not (i.e., who were in a deliberative mindset, which is active before an intention has been formed). Thus, the activation of cognitive procedures that deal with weighing the pros and cons of a potential goal was associated with a more balanced exploration of a visual scene, whereas the activation of cognitive procedures that deal with the translation of one’s intentions into action was associated with a visual exploration biased toward the central object.…”

Understanding visual attention in childhood: Insights from a new visual foraging task

“…Global measures of self-regulation are considered to reflect executive functions, including working memory, attention, and inhibition, so there should be considerable overlap in the characteristics of visual attention, executive functions, and self-regulation (Rueda, Posner, & Rothbart, 2005). The literature on the relation between these constructs is, nevertheless, surprisingly sparse (but see Büttner et al, 2014; Gerardi-Caulton, 2000; Sheese, Rothbart, Posner, White, & Fraundorf, 2008, van Hecke et al, 2012). …”

The role of motivation and volition in economic decisions: Evidence from eye movements and pupillometry

“…Some studies have already used the deliberative and implemental mindsets to explore the effects of motivational and volitional processes on decisions (V. Brandstätter, Giesinger, Job, & Frank, 2015;Büttner et al, 2014;Hügelschäfer & Achtziger, 2014;Keller & Gollwitzer, 2017;Li, Hügelschäfer, & Achtziger, 2019;Rahn et al, 2016a;Rahn, Jaudas, & Achtziger, 2016b). For instance, Li et al (2019) observed that rational decision making was increased in the implemental mindset compared with a baseline and a deliberative mindset condition.…”