Meta-awareness, perceptual decoupling and the wandering mind

TitleMeta-awareness, perceptual decoupling and the wandering mind
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsSchooler J.W., Smallwood J., Christoff K., Handy T.C, Reichle E.D, Sayette M.A
JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences
Volume15
Issue7
Pagination319 - 326
ISSN1364-6613
Keywordsmind-wandering
Abstract

Mind wandering (i.e. engaging in cognitions unrelated to the current demands of the external environment) reflects the cyclic activity of two core processes: the capacity to disengage attention from perception (known as perceptual decoupling) and the ability to take explicit note of the current contents of consciousness (known as meta-awareness). Research on perceptual decoupling demonstrates that mental events that arise without any external precedent (known as stimulus independent thoughts) often interfere with the online processing of sensory information. Findings regarding meta-awareness reveal that the mind is only intermittently aware of engaging in mind wandering. These basic aspects of mind wandering are considered with respect to the activity of the default network, the role of executive processes, the contributions of meta-awareness and the functionality of mind wandering.

URLhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364661311000878
DOI10.1016/j.tics.2011.05.006