Mind-wandering (MW) represents a shift of attention away from the task at hand toward inner thoughts. It is investigated by using probe-caught and self-caught method. Several studies have shown that MW has a costly influence on cognitive processes. This thesis explored the impact of MW on narrative discourse production and driving. Study1 comprehended Experiment1 and Experiment2 that are part of a research involving 65 participants. In Experiment1, the cognitive characteristics of MW episodes were investigated. Thought probes embedded in the SART allowed to define participants’ mental state by distinguishing depending on awareness, lacking of awareness, mind blanking, or thoughts related to performance quality. A cognitive assessment was administered. An Executive Functioning component was identified by using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA); this component was a significant positive predictor of the frequency of those MW episodes characterized by awareness, whereas it approached to explain a significant part of the variance of frequency of those MW episodes characterized by lacking of awareness (with a negative relationship). Experiment2 of the Study1 explored the relation between MW and narrative discourse production. The ability to provide the right information may represent an ability to stay on the narrative task inhibiting irrelevant or tangential information. Based on these considerations, the aims were to assess (1) whether the ability to stay on task during an attentional task and the ability to communicate effectively are related, and (2) whether it was possible to identify an index of derailment from the purpose of what it is being done which could be explained by a role played by Executive Functioning. To do this, a story-telling task was administered. As a preliminary step in the analysis, a PCA highlighted two components: (a) Communicative Effectiveness, and (b) Effects of discourse flow interruption. A correlation analysis showed that the Communicative Effectiveness component was negatively correlated to the reaction times coefficient of variability (RTCV), a behavioural index of SART that mirrors the ability to stay on task or conversely the tendency to let the mind wander. A further PCA was then performed to explore whether it was possible to isolate an index of derailment from the purpose of what it is being done. The results did not confirm the hypothesis. Study2 compare a probe-caught and a self-caught sampling procedure, embedded in a driving task. The aims were of (1) exploring how MW affects driving performance depending on the sampling procedure used, and (2) exploring the frequency of MW. To do this, a lane-keeping task was administered to two groups (Probe-Caught vs. Self-Caught) to study the basic driving skills. Each dependent variable was analysed by a 2 (Mental state: MW vs. Attention) x 2 (Group: Probe-Caught vs. Self-Caught) ANOVA. Results showed that MW does not affect basic driving skills, and drew attention to the critical implications of different thoughts sampling methodology. Indeed, the self-caught procedure may be more suitable for studying the detrimental effect of MW on driving performance, whereas the probe-caught procedure can inform on the nature of strategic response to distraction derived from MW. Moreover, an increment of MW episodes was observed with time on task. Study3 explored the impact of MW during everyday driving by using a questionnaire. The aims were to investigate: (1) which contextual and emotional conditions are more likely to induce MW occurrence, (2) the influence of demographic variables on MW. Three components were extracted from a PCA: (a) MW State, (b) Use of Technology, and (c) Environmental Distraction. As MW State component was highly correlated with MW frequency, a MW Scale was developed and taken into consideration for further analysis. Younger drivers reported higher scores on this scale.

When the mind flies: Tracking mind wandering across different domains of daily activities / Bencich, Erica. - (2017 May 26).

When the mind flies: Tracking mind wandering across different domains of daily activities

BENCICH, ERICA
2017-05-26

Abstract

Mind-wandering (MW) represents a shift of attention away from the task at hand toward inner thoughts. It is investigated by using probe-caught and self-caught method. Several studies have shown that MW has a costly influence on cognitive processes. This thesis explored the impact of MW on narrative discourse production and driving. Study1 comprehended Experiment1 and Experiment2 that are part of a research involving 65 participants. In Experiment1, the cognitive characteristics of MW episodes were investigated. Thought probes embedded in the SART allowed to define participants’ mental state by distinguishing depending on awareness, lacking of awareness, mind blanking, or thoughts related to performance quality. A cognitive assessment was administered. An Executive Functioning component was identified by using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA); this component was a significant positive predictor of the frequency of those MW episodes characterized by awareness, whereas it approached to explain a significant part of the variance of frequency of those MW episodes characterized by lacking of awareness (with a negative relationship). Experiment2 of the Study1 explored the relation between MW and narrative discourse production. The ability to provide the right information may represent an ability to stay on the narrative task inhibiting irrelevant or tangential information. Based on these considerations, the aims were to assess (1) whether the ability to stay on task during an attentional task and the ability to communicate effectively are related, and (2) whether it was possible to identify an index of derailment from the purpose of what it is being done which could be explained by a role played by Executive Functioning. To do this, a story-telling task was administered. As a preliminary step in the analysis, a PCA highlighted two components: (a) Communicative Effectiveness, and (b) Effects of discourse flow interruption. A correlation analysis showed that the Communicative Effectiveness component was negatively correlated to the reaction times coefficient of variability (RTCV), a behavioural index of SART that mirrors the ability to stay on task or conversely the tendency to let the mind wander. A further PCA was then performed to explore whether it was possible to isolate an index of derailment from the purpose of what it is being done. The results did not confirm the hypothesis. Study2 compare a probe-caught and a self-caught sampling procedure, embedded in a driving task. The aims were of (1) exploring how MW affects driving performance depending on the sampling procedure used, and (2) exploring the frequency of MW. To do this, a lane-keeping task was administered to two groups (Probe-Caught vs. Self-Caught) to study the basic driving skills. Each dependent variable was analysed by a 2 (Mental state: MW vs. Attention) x 2 (Group: Probe-Caught vs. Self-Caught) ANOVA. Results showed that MW does not affect basic driving skills, and drew attention to the critical implications of different thoughts sampling methodology. Indeed, the self-caught procedure may be more suitable for studying the detrimental effect of MW on driving performance, whereas the probe-caught procedure can inform on the nature of strategic response to distraction derived from MW. Moreover, an increment of MW episodes was observed with time on task. Study3 explored the impact of MW during everyday driving by using a questionnaire. The aims were to investigate: (1) which contextual and emotional conditions are more likely to induce MW occurrence, (2) the influence of demographic variables on MW. Three components were extracted from a PCA: (a) MW State, (b) Use of Technology, and (c) Environmental Distraction. As MW State component was highly correlated with MW frequency, a MW Scale was developed and taken into consideration for further analysis. Younger drivers reported higher scores on this scale.
26-mag-2017
MARINI, ANDREA
BRANDIMONTE, MARIA
29
2015/2016
Settore M-PSI/01 - Psicologia Generale
Università degli Studi di Trieste
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11368/2908213
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