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Executive failure hypothesis explains the trait-level association between motivation and mind wandering
1School of Humanities and Science, Kyushu Campus, Tokai University, Higashi-Ku, Toroku 9-1-1, Kumamoto, 862-8652, Japan. toshikazukawagoe@gmail.com.
Scientific Reports
|April 8, 2022
Summary
This study confirms a link between trait-level motivation and mind wandering (MW). Low executive function contributes to spontaneous MW, suggesting executive failure underlies this connection.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Mind wandering (MW) is a common daily experience.
- Previous research linked trait-level motivation and MW via surveys.
- The mechanisms of state-level motivation-MW association are understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Replicate the trait-level association between motivation and MW.
- Investigate the underlying mechanisms of this trait-level association.
- Differentiate the psychological basis of motivation-MW at state and trait levels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of two independent samples.
- Utilized multiple questionnaires assessing motivation and MW.
- Employed general one- and multi-dimensional scales for both variables.
Main Results:
- Successfully replicated the significant association between trait-level motivation and MW.
- Identified low executive function as a predictor of high spontaneous MW.
- Demonstrated that the motivation-MW relationship differs at state versus trait levels.
Conclusions:
- The executive failure hypothesis explains the trait-level link between motivation and MW.
- Executive control failure during tasks may trigger spontaneous mind wandering.
- Motivation's influence on MW is psychologically distinct at the trait and state levels.
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