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Updated: May 13, 2026
06:49
Using Eye Movements to Evaluate the Cognitive Processes Involved in Text Comprehension
Published on: January 10, 2014
Mind wandering in sentence reading: decoupling the link between mind and eye
Tom Foulsham1, James Farley2, Alan Kingstone2
1Department of Psychology.
Summary
Mind wandering during reading alters eye movements, slowing reading speed and changing how the brain processes words. Eye-tracking reveals distinct patterns when attention drifts, decoupling word identification from visual scanning.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Mind wandering, a common cognitive phenomenon, can impact task performance.
- Previous research suggests a link between attentional states and eye movements during reading.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether eye movements during reading differ when individuals are on-task versus mind wandering.
- To determine if task focus can be inferred from oculomotor behavior.
Main Methods:
- Participants read sentences with varying word frequencies while their eye movements were tracked.
- Self-report probes were used to identify periods of mind wandering versus on-task reading.
- Analysis focused on reading times, fixation durations, and word frequency effects on gaze.
Main Results:
- Mind wandering was associated with slower reading times and longer average fixation durations.
- The typical word frequency effect on gaze duration disappeared during mind wandering.
- Eye movement patterns differed significantly between on-task and mind-wandering states.
Conclusions:
- Eye movements can serve as an indicator of cognitive state, specifically mind wandering during reading.
- The relationship between word identification processes and eye scanning behavior is disrupted when attention is disengaged.
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