The influence of time on task on mind wandering and visual working memory

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Working memory (WM) performance depends on executive resources.
• Internal distractions like mind wandering and prolonged task engagement can deplete these resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how mnemonic demand, mind wandering, and time on task affect executive resource allocation in visual working memory.
• To examine trial-by-trial fluctuations in performance and mind wandering.

Main Methods:

• 143 participants completed a visual working memory task with manipulated mnemonic load (1 vs. 2 items).
• Subjective mind wandering was assessed using a Likert scale throughout the experiment.
• Hierarchical linear modeling analyzed performance and mind wandering data.

Main Results:

• Task performance decreased with increased time on task, with a steeper decline under high mnemonic load.
• Mind wandering increased over time and varied with load and time on task.
• Mind wandering was initially higher for low load but increased more during high load trials with prolonged engagement.

Conclusions:

• Executive resource availability for working memory maintenance fluctuates based on task demands and time.
• Mind wandering can commandeer executive resources, impacting working memory performance.
• The interplay between task load, time, and internal distractions dynamically affects cognitive resource allocation.