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Spontaneous mind wandering impairs model-based decision making
Shuyan Liu1, Milena Rabovsky2, Daniel J Schad3
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Plos One
|January 26, 2023
Summary
Trait spontaneous mind wandering impairs model-based decision-making, which relies on future goals. This suggests that a wandering mind may hinder goal-directed choices by disrupting cognitive processes essential for planning.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Decision Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Mind wandering, or attention diverting to unrelated thoughts, can influence decision-making processes.
- Decisions can be model-based (goal-directed) or model-free (habit-driven).
- Trait spontaneous mind wandering may disrupt goal-directed decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between trait spontaneous mind wandering and decision-making strategies.
- To determine if spontaneous mind wandering affects model-based versus model-free decision-making.
Main Methods:
- A sequential two-step Markov decision task was employed.
- Trait spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering propensity was assessed via self-report.
- A computational neurocognitive dual-control model was used to estimate decision-making parameters.
Main Results:
- Trait spontaneous mind wandering was significantly associated with impaired model-based decision-making.
- Model-free decision-making (habit-driven choices) remained unaffected by spontaneous mind wandering.
- These findings were derived from analyzing estimated parameters of the dual-control model.
Conclusions:
- Trait spontaneous mind wandering is linked to deficits in model-based decision-making.
- This impairment may stem from spontaneous mind wandering interfering with the offline replay of information crucial for future planning.
- The study highlights the impact of internal cognitive states on goal-directed behavior.
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