Where Does the Mind Wander To?

Evidence indicates that unless confronted by a task that requires concentration, the mind tends to generate stimulus- independent though (SIT) -- it tends to wander from the current stimulus environment (see Singer, 1966; Antrobus & Singer, 1964; Klinger, 1971; Smallwood & Schooler, 2006).

Recent functional imaging studies suggest that the "default network" (Raichle et al., 2001) -- cortical regions that are active when people are "resting", may play a role in the production of these thoughts (Christoff et al., 2003; Maguire et al., 2001; Mason et al., 2007; McKiernan et al., 2003; 2005; Mazoyer et al., 2001). It has been suggested that mind-wandering (entertaining thoughts unbound to the external world) may constitute a psychological baseline (Klinger et al., 2001; Buckner & Carroll, 2007).

How does your mindwandering compare to others?

Answer these twelve questions to find out.

1.	I often imagine what my life will be like in the distant future.
	Strongly uncharacteristic Usually not true of me Usually true of me True of me Strongly characteristic
2.	Most of my daydreams are about really unusual people or about events that could hardly ever happen.
	Strongly uncharacteristic Usually not true of me Usually true of me True of me Strongly characteristic
3.	I sometimes daydream about people and places I was familiar with when I was young.
	Strongly uncharacteristic Usually not true of me Usually true of me True of me Strongly characteristic
4.	Words (nouns, adjectives, etc.) and names (of people, places) sometimes 'pop' into my mind without any accompanying contextual information.
	Strongly uncharacteristic Usually not true of me Usually true of me True of me Strongly characteristic
5.	My thoughts are accompanied by an inner voice.
	Strongly uncharacteristic Usually not true of me Usually true of me True of me Strongly characteristic
6.	I sometimes have a very clear, lifelike picture of what I am imagining.
	Strongly uncharacteristic Usually not true of me Usually true of me True of me Strongly characteristic
7.	When sitting in a meeting or a lecture I usually find myself looking around a great deal at the people or objects in the room.
	Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently Always
8.	During a lecture or speech my mind wanders.
	Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently Always
9.	My internal thoughts involve other people (e.g., friends, acquaintances, strangers).
	Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently Always
10.	I think about things that I am going to do in the near future (e.g., what I have planned for that evening; what I need to accomplish at work in the next few days, etc.)
	Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently Always
11.	When I have time on my hands I entertain myself with internal thoughts.
	Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently Always
12.	While "daydreaming" I tend to problem-solve or simulate possible solutions to unfinished business (e.g., I consider the benefits and drawbacks of adopting one course of action over another).
	Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently Always
Your Age: Your Gender: M F

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