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13-06-2024 | Research

Positively framing mind wandering does not increase mind wandering in older adults

Auteurs: Matthew S. Welhaf, Julie M. Bugg

Gepubliceerd in: Psychological Research | Uitgave 5/2024

Abstract

Age-related differences in mind wandering are robust, with older adults reporting less mind wandering compared to younger adults. While several theories have been put forth to explain this difference, one view has received less attention than others. Specifically, age-related differences in mind wandering might occur because older adults are reluctant to report on their mind wandering. The aim of the current study was to explicitly test this hypothesis. Older and younger adults completed a go/no-go task with intermittent thought probes to assess mind wandering. In one condition, participants were provided with standard instructions about how to respond to questions about their thoughts. In a second condition, participants were provided with a positive framing of mind wandering. Mind wandering was assessed both subjectively (i.e., via thought probes) and objectively (i.e., using different behavioral measures from the go/no-go task). The results of the study suggest that positively framing mind wandering did not impact rates of mind wandering or objective indicators of mind wandering for older or younger adults. Older adults reported less mind wandering, regardless of condition, compared to younger adults. Older adults also had generally better performance on the go/no-go task compared to younger adults. Bayesian analyses suggested that the main effect of framing condition, although not significant in Frequentist terms, did provide moderate evidence of an overall effect on mind wandering rates. We interpret the results as evidence against the reluctance hypothesis, consistent with previous work.

vorige artikel Recurrent involuntary memories and mind wandering are related but distinct

volgende artikel Time, valence, and imagination: a comparative study of thoughts in restricted and unrestricted mind wandering

We were not able to access the demographic information that was collected for participants in this study and therefore specifics regarding age and education levels cannot be provided.

Previous work (e.g., McVay et al., 2013) examined age-related differences in behavioral indicators such as pre-mind wandering speeding, variability, and accuracy. We intended to also look at these data, however, due to a very small number of observations with usable trials in the preceding four trial window we could not look at these differences.

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Titel: Positively framing mind wandering does not increase mind wandering in older adults
Auteurs: Matthew S. Welhaf
Julie M. Bugg
Publicatiedatum: 13-06-2024
Uitgeverij: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Gepubliceerd in: Psychological Research / Uitgave 5/2024
Print ISSN: 0340-0727
Elektronisch ISSN: 1430-2772
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-024-01983-4

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