Feedback Effects on Mind Wandering: A Series of Online Experiments

Abstract

Replicating in-lab experiments online can ensure scientific progress when physical contact is discouraged, like during the covid-19 pandemic. In this thesis, we replicated the results from Boayue et al. (2021) in-lab Mind Wandering (MW) experiment online. The task uses the Finger-Tapping Random Sequence Generation Task, a sustained attention task, equating MW with Task Unrelated Thoughts (TUTs). In addition to collecting self-reported TUTs, the FT-RSGT continuously collects Behavioural Variability (BV) and Approximate Entropy (AE), which are both related to MW. We replicated Boayue et al. (2021) in-lab results showing that we can reliably conduct MW experiments online. Moreover, by using six different versions of the task, we investigated whether giving different types of feedback to the participants could improve their task focus. The task versions were: (1) Identical to the lab-based task. (2) Performance feedback training. (3) Intermittently delivered performance feedback throughout the experiment. (4) Non-specific feedback. (5) Camera monitoring feedback and (6) progression feedback. We consistently found that specific performance feedback increased the global on-task focus as measured by our behavioural indices (AE and BV) relative to non-specific motivational feedback, leaving self-reported MW unaffected. On the other hand, progression and camera feedback increased the magnitude of the subjectively reported MW while leaving task performance unchanged. This dissociation could result from participants' exaggeration when surveilled and their novelty with the self-rating. We conclude that, during online experiments, researchers may want to incorporate performance feedback to increase behavioural indices. These insights may apply to other situations where increased task performance is desired. All data, experimental materials, and pre-registrations are available at the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/wjvk2).