The silver lining of a mind in the clouds: Interesting musings are associated with positive mood while mind-wandering
The negative effects of mind-wandering on performance and mood have been widely documented. In a recent well-cited study, Killingsworth and Gilbert (2010) conducted a large experience sampling study revealing that all off-task episodes, regardless of content, have equal to or lower happiness rating...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2013-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00583/full |
| _version_ | 1811327689343107072 |
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| author | Michael S. Franklin Michael D. Mrazek Craig L. Anderson Jonathan eSmallwood Alan eKingstone Jonathan eSchooler |
| author_facet | Michael S. Franklin Michael D. Mrazek Craig L. Anderson Jonathan eSmallwood Alan eKingstone Jonathan eSchooler |
| author_sort | Michael S. Franklin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The negative effects of mind-wandering on performance and mood have been widely documented. In a recent well-cited study, Killingsworth and Gilbert (2010) conducted a large experience sampling study revealing that all off-task episodes, regardless of content, have equal to or lower happiness ratings, than on-task episodes. We present data from a similarly implemented experience sampling study with additional mind-wandering content categories. Our results largely conform to those of the Killingsworth and Gilbert (2010) study, with mind-wandering generally being associated with a more negative mood. However, subsequent analyses reveal situations in which a more positive mood is reported after being off-task. Specifically when off-task episodes are rated for interest, the high interest episodes are associated with an increase in positive mood compared to all on-task episodes. These findings both identify a situation in which mind-wandering may have positive effects on mood, and suggest the possible benefits of encouraging individuals to shift their off task musings to the topics they find most engaging. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T15:12:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-95bdc4feab5146c7a49403b7f5a4bb81 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T15:12:32Z |
| publishDate | 2013-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-95bdc4feab5146c7a49403b7f5a4bb812022-12-22T02:41:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782013-08-01410.3389/fpsyg.2013.0058357325The silver lining of a mind in the clouds: Interesting musings are associated with positive mood while mind-wanderingMichael S. Franklin0Michael D. Mrazek1Craig L. Anderson2Jonathan eSmallwood3Alan eKingstone4Jonathan eSchooler5University of California, Santa BarbaraUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraUniversity of California, BerkeleyMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive Brain SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraThe negative effects of mind-wandering on performance and mood have been widely documented. In a recent well-cited study, Killingsworth and Gilbert (2010) conducted a large experience sampling study revealing that all off-task episodes, regardless of content, have equal to or lower happiness ratings, than on-task episodes. We present data from a similarly implemented experience sampling study with additional mind-wandering content categories. Our results largely conform to those of the Killingsworth and Gilbert (2010) study, with mind-wandering generally being associated with a more negative mood. However, subsequent analyses reveal situations in which a more positive mood is reported after being off-task. Specifically when off-task episodes are rated for interest, the high interest episodes are associated with an increase in positive mood compared to all on-task episodes. These findings both identify a situation in which mind-wandering may have positive effects on mood, and suggest the possible benefits of encouraging individuals to shift their off task musings to the topics they find most engaging.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00583/fullemotionmind-wanderingmooddaydreamingexperience sampling |
| spellingShingle | Michael S. Franklin Michael D. Mrazek Craig L. Anderson Jonathan eSmallwood Alan eKingstone Jonathan eSchooler The silver lining of a mind in the clouds: Interesting musings are associated with positive mood while mind-wandering Frontiers in Psychology emotion mind-wandering mood daydreaming experience sampling |
| title | The silver lining of a mind in the clouds: Interesting musings are associated with positive mood while mind-wandering |
| title_full | The silver lining of a mind in the clouds: Interesting musings are associated with positive mood while mind-wandering |
| title_fullStr | The silver lining of a mind in the clouds: Interesting musings are associated with positive mood while mind-wandering |
| title_full_unstemmed | The silver lining of a mind in the clouds: Interesting musings are associated with positive mood while mind-wandering |
| title_short | The silver lining of a mind in the clouds: Interesting musings are associated with positive mood while mind-wandering |
| title_sort | silver lining of a mind in the clouds interesting musings are associated with positive mood while mind wandering |
| topic | emotion mind-wandering mood daydreaming experience sampling |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00583/full |
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