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Task-unrelated-thought frequency as a function of age: a laboratory study.
1NIH National Inst on Aging, Francis Scott Key Medical Institution Gerontology Research Ctr, Baltimore, MD.
Psychology and Aging
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Older adults experience less mind wandering and task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs). This study confirms that reduced daydreaming in aging is reliable, suggesting decreased nonconscious processing with age.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Previous research indicated an inverse relationship between age and daydreaming/mind wandering.
- Alternative explanations involving memory and attitudes toward daydreaming required further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate and independently confirm the inverse relationship between age and daydreaming.
- To explore the implications of age-related changes in task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs) for cognitive processing.
Main Methods:
- Five experiments were conducted using vigilance tasks to measure task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs) as a proxy for daydreaming.
- Participants ranged in age from 17 to 92 years (N = 471).
- Retrospective reports were used in initial analyses, followed by experimental validation.
Main Results:
- All five experiments consistently demonstrated an inverse relationship between age and the frequency of TUTs.
- The findings confirmed the reliability and validity of earlier retrospective reports.
- An age-dependent reduction in TUTs was observed across the lifespan.
Conclusions:
- The reduction in task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs) with age suggests a decrease in nonconscious information processing.
- These results challenge theories positing increased irrelevant thought input in older adults due to reduced inhibitory control.