The awakening of the attention: Evidence for a link between the monitoring of mind wandering and prospective goals.
Abstract
Across 2 independent samples, we examined the relation between individual differences
in rates of self-caught mind wandering and individual differences in temporal monitoring
of an unrelated response goal. Rates of self-caught mind wandering were assessed during
a commonly used sustained-attention task, and temporal goal monitoring was indexed
during a well-established prospective-memory task. The results from both samples showed
a positive relation between rates of self-caught mind wandering during the sustained-attention
task and rates of checking a clock to monitor the amount of time remaining before
a response was required in the prospective-memory task. This relation held even when
controlling for overall propensity to mind-wander (indexed by intermittent thought
probes) and levels of motivation (indexed by subjective reports). These results suggest
the possibility that there is a common monitoring system that monitors the contents
of consciousness and the progress of ongoing goals and tasks. (PsycINFO Database Record
Type
Journal articleSubject
Social SciencesPsychology, Experimental
Psychology
mind wandering
prospective memory
attention monitoring
meta-awareness
self-caught
WORKING-MEMORY CAPACITY
META-AWARENESS
IMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONS
ONGOING TASK
OLDER-ADULTS
PERFORMANCE
THOUGHT
EXPERIENCE
DEMANDS
CONSCIOUSNESS
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/17291Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1037/xge0000385Publication Info
Seli, Paul; Smilek, Daniel; Ralph, Brandon CW; & Schacter, Daniel L (2018). The awakening of the attention: Evidence for a link between the monitoring of mind
wandering and prospective goals. Journal of experimental psychology. General, 147(3). pp. 431-443. 10.1037/xge0000385. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/17291.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Paul Seli
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
My research is rooted in the exploration and understanding of the intricate tapestry
of human consciousness. I am particularly fascinated by its myriad manifestations
and the potential for our various conscious states to be harnessed as tools for individual
and collective development.
My investigations are organized around four main pillars: creativity, mind wandering,
dreaming, and the use of psychedelics. Each of these areas offers a unique lens through
which to examine the depth an

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