Beyond mind wandering: Performance variability and neural activity during off-task thought and other attention lapses

•Monotonic increase in performance variability across attention states.•Different patterns of fMRI activity during off-task thought and inattention.•Functional connectivity changes in constrained compared to spontaneous thoughts.•Subtle but significant differences in subjective and behavioral attent...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Consciousness and cognition 2023-02, Vol.108, p.103459-103459, Article 103459
Main Authors: Godwin, Christine A., Smith, Derek M., Schumacher, Eric H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attention
Attention - physiology
Brain - physiology
Brain Mapping
Cognition - physiology
Default mode network
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mind wandering
Nerve Net - physiology
Performance variability
Spontaneous thought
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:•Monotonic increase in performance variability across attention states.•Different patterns of fMRI activity during off-task thought and inattention.•Functional connectivity changes in constrained compared to spontaneous thoughts.•Subtle but significant differences in subjective and behavioral attention measures. To study the characteristics of attention lapses, a metronome response task and experience sampling were employed while recording fMRI data. Thought prompts queried several attention states (on-task, task-related interference, off-task, inattention). Off-task thoughts were probed on whether they arose in a spontaneous or constrained (i.e., directed) manner. Increased fMRI activation was observed in the default mode network during off-task thought and in subregions of the anterior cingulate cortex and inferior frontal gyrus during inattention. Activation also increased in the left hippocampus during constrained thoughts. Functional connectivity increased between the left superior temporal sulcus and right temporoparietal junction for constrained compared to spontaneous thoughts. Overall, behavioral results indicated a monotonic increase in performance variability from on-task to inattention. However, subtle but consistent differences were observed between self-reported attention state and performance. Results are discussed from perspectives of mind wandering frameworks, the function of brain networks, and the role of engagement in off-task thought.
ISSN:1053-8100
1090-2376
DOI:10.1016/j.concog.2022.103459