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Personality and Mind-Wandering Self-Perception: The Role of Meta-Awareness
Miguel Ibaceta1, Hector P Madrid2
1Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Psychology
|May 3, 2021
Summary
Personality traits like neuroticism and openness influence how people perceive their mind-wandering. This meta-awareness effect suggests individual differences shape spontaneous thought patterns.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Mind-wandering, the emergence of spontaneous thoughts, impacts psychological outcomes.
- Individual differences in mind-wandering are not well understood.
- Personality traits may influence self-perception of mind-wandering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between personality traits (neuroticism, openness) and mind-wandering self-perception.
- To explore the mediating role of meta-awareness in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A three-wave survey study was conducted.
- Data were collected from 273 college students.
- Mind-wandering self-perception, personality traits, and meta-awareness were assessed.
Main Results:
- Neuroticism was positively associated with mind-wandering self-perception.
- Openness to experience was positively associated with mind-wandering self-perception.
- Meta-awareness mediated these associations.
Conclusions:
- Personality traits, specifically neuroticism and openness, are linked to how individuals perceive their mind-wandering.
- Meta-awareness plays a crucial role in mediating the relationship between personality and mind-wandering self-perception.
- Mind-wandering processes are influenced by individual differences in personality traits.
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