title: Harnessing the wandering mind: the role of perceptual load.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Research Department of Cognitive, Perceptual and Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK. sophie.forster@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: Nilli
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lavie