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Self-caught methodologies for measuring mind wandering with meta-awareness: A systematic review
Maria T Chu1, Elizabeth Marks1, Cassandra L Smith1
1Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
Consciousness and Cognition
|January 14, 2023
Summary
This review examines self-caught methods for measuring mind wandering, which is attention drifting from a task. Understanding these methods is crucial for mental health research and interventions.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Mind wandering, or task-unrelated thought, is the spontaneous drift of attention.
- Self-caught measures capture mind wandering with meta-awareness, the conscious recognition of attention lapse.
- Meta-awareness is increasingly recognized for its role in mental health and therapeutic interventions.
Approach:
- A systematic review of 39 studies was conducted, assessing 790 initially identified studies.
- Studies operationalized mind wandering as attention drift during primary tasks like sustained attention tests, mindfulness exercises, or reading.
- Methodological heterogeneity in self-caught mind wandering measures was analyzed.
Key Points:
- Three primary task types were identified: Continuous Performance Tests (CPT), mindfulness-based tasks, and everyday activities.
- Many studies collected data on mind wandering without meta-awareness but did not always integrate it with self-caught data.
- Reliability and validity data for the employed measures were infrequently reported.
Conclusions:
- Significant methodological heterogeneity exists in self-caught mind wandering research.
- This review documents and scrutinizes variants of self-caught methodologies.
- Recommendations for future research and clinical applications of these measures are provided.
Keywords:
Consciousness measuresMeta-awarenessMeta-consciousnessMind-wanderingProbe-caughtSelf-caughtMore Related Videos
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