Year: 2022
Type: preprint
Abstract: Spontaneous thought makes up most of everyday cognition. Why do we devote so much time and cognitive resources to spontaneous thought? Here, we test two of the leading hypotheses about the functions of spontaneous thought: First, we test the hypothesis that spontaneous thought improves memory efficiency. Under this hypothesis, the dynamics of spontaneous thought should resemble the pseudorandom memory replays that optimize memory storage and facilitate learning such that spontaneous thought prioritizes detailed, vivid simulations. Next, we test the hypothesis that spontaneous thought helps us achieve our goals. Under this hypothesis, spontaneous thought should prioritize goal-relevant content. We use natural language processing tools to quantify the dynamics of thought in a large sample of think aloud data. Results suggest that the dynamics of spontaneous thought both support memory optimization and keep us focused on current concerns.
Authors: Judith N. Mildner, Diana Tamir
Institution: Princeton University
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4297790801