Mind-wandering

• What is mind-wandering?

  Thoughts not focused on the task at hand
• What are Task-Unrelated Thoughts (TUTs)?


  Thoughts that are unrelated to the task
• What does the family resemblance view of mind-wandering suggest?

  MW is an umbrella term for various thoughts
• What are the two types of triggers for mind-wandering?

  Stimulus independent and dependent
• What is the difference between spontaneous and intentional mind-wandering?

  Spontaneous is unintentional, intentional is deliberate
• What is the average rate of mind-wandering according to studies?

  20%-30%
• What is the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART)?

  A method to measure mind-wandering
• What is maladaptive daydreaming?

  Compulsive fantasy activity causing distress
• What is the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16)?


  A scale to measure maladaptive daydreaming
• What did McVay et al. (2009) find about mind-wandering?

  MW predicts performance difficulties in daily life
• What correlation exists between maladaptive daydreaming and ADHD?

  MD is highly comorbid with ADHD
• What did Kane et al. (2017) find regarding mind-wandering?

  Findings were not replicated in their study
• What is the role of cues in mind-wandering?

  Cues can trigger spontaneous thoughts
• What are the benefits of mind-wandering according to Smallwood & Andrews-Hanna (2013)?

  Helps with planning and creativity
• What did the early experience sampling study by Cameron & Giuntoli (1975) reveal?

  Only 40-46% paid full attention
• What did Wammes et al. (2016) find about intentional mind-wandering?

  Intentional MW negatively affected quiz scores
• What is the difference between intentional and unintentional mind-wandering?

  Intentional is deliberate, unintentional is spontaneous
• What are the key findings regarding mind-wandering in education?

  • Higher rates of MW in lab studies
  • Importance of distinguishing intentional vs. unintentional MW
  • Different outcomes on immediate and long-term learning
• What are the learning outcomes for the lecture on mind-wandering?

  • Understand costs and benefits of mind-wandering
  • Discuss key findings of laboratory research
  • Understand the role of the Brain’s Default Network
• What are the compulsory readings on mind-wandering?

  • Summary on MW definitions/types
  • Barnett & Kaufmann (2020)
  • Szpunar (2017) on directing the wandering mind
• What are the recommended readings on mind-wandering?

  • Smallwood & Andrews-Hanna (2013)