DefinePK

Abstract

Studies suggest that mind wandering is a frequent occurring phenomena which depends on one’s current mood and influence one’s daily life routine work. This experimental investigation was aimed to examine, the impact of mood on mind wandering. In this study participants were divided in three groups three types of mood were induced (positive, negative and neutral) through video cues. After induction of mood participants performed a sustain attention response task (SART) (Robertson et al., 1997). Through task behavior laps (SART errors and response time) and subjective reports through Dundee stress state questionnaire (Matthews et al., 1999) (thought form), were collected. Mind wandering was measured by behavior laps and subjective reports. Results showed that there were more SART errors and task irrelevant thoughts in negative group as compared to positive and neutral group (P<0.01, P<0.05). According to these findings negative mood does lead towards mind wandering and irrelevant thoughts which effect performance on tasks.