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Harnessing the wandering mind: the role of perceptual load

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 15:19 authored by Sophie ForsterSophie Forster, Nilli Lavie
Perceptual load is a key determinant of distraction by task-irrelevant stimuli (e.g., Lavie, N. (2005). Distracted and confused?: Selective attention under load. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9, 75-82). Here we establish the role of perceptual load in determining an internal form of distraction by task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs or "mind-wandering"). Four experiments demonstrated reduced frequency of TUTs with high compared to low perceptual load in a visual-search task. Alternative accounts in terms of increased demands on responses, verbal working memory or motivation were ruled out and clear effects of load were found for unintentional TUTs. Individual differences in load effects on internal (TUTs) and external (response-competition) distractors were correlated. These results suggest that exhausting attentional capacity in task-relevant processing under high perceptual load can reduce processing of task-irrelevant information from external and internal sources alike.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Cognition

ISSN

0010-0277

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

3

Volume

111

Page range

345-355

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-07-09

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2013-07-22

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2013-07-22

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