Daydreaming is often defined as a mental activity characterized by fanciful imagery, involving an inner focus of attention on images and events with varying degrees of probability of actually occurring (Christoff et al., 2016; Singer, 1974).
In some cases, daydreaming may involve absorption: being completely immersed in fantasy, thus narrowing attention and neglecting some aspects of external reality (Soffer‐Dudek & Somer, 2018). Although daydreaming is a universal activity experienced by most people daily (Singer, 1974), its unique nature raises a question regarding the circumstances in which it may predispose to psychopathology.
Several researchers refer to daydreaming as an adaptive consciousness state. For example, as creating a platform for processing daily experiences and problem‐solving, in a way that cannot be resolved under standard, goal‐oriented, logical thinking (Butler, 2006).
Daydreaming has also been claimed to enable future planning, creative thinking, decoupling of attention, the implementation of multiple goals, and perhaps a resting strategy for assimilation (Hartman, 1958; Klinger & Cox, 1987; McMillan et al., 2013; Singer, 1974, 2009).
Refocusing or “focusing back effort” is an important concept in achieving goals or completing tasks efficiently. In various contexts, such as work or study, the ability to refocus effort after being distracted or losing focus is a highly valuable skill.
By refocusing, one can optimize their productivity and overcome obstacles that may arise during the process. It involves the ability to recenter on the main goal, identify distractions, and diligently refocus efforts to achieve the desired outcome.
As such, effective refocusing plays a crucial role in an individual’s success and achievement in various aspects of life. Focus back effort is defined as the effort of trying to refocus on the current activity while in a mind wandering state (He et al., 2021a, 2021b; He et al., 2021a, 2021b).
Deviance distraction is traditionally viewed as an involuntary switch of attention away from the main task caused by the detection of subtle auditory changes in the human brain (Escera, Alho, Winkler, & Näätänen, 1998; Schröger, 1996).
Cognitive theories of adjustment propose that repetitive thinking predicts adjustment to environmental challenges (e.g., Segerstrom et al., 2003). Various forms of repetitive thought have been identified including worry, rumination, mental simulation, cognitive and emotional processing, and reflection (Watkins, 2008), which have both adaptive and maladaptive outcomes with respect to adjustment and well-being.
Post-event cognitive processing (e.g., Bower et al., 1998; Calhoun et al., 2000), emotional processing (e.g., Manne et al., 2007; Hoyt et al., 2013) and reflective thinking (e.g., Burwell and Shirk, 2007; Eisma et al., 2014) predict successful adjustment following stressful events.
However, other forms of repetitive thinking, notably rumination and worry, have been associated with negative outcomes in the context of adjustment (e.g., Ehlers et al., 1998; Holeva et al., 2002; Ito et al., 2003; Robinson and Alloy, 2003).
Attempts to integrate the seemingly contradictory effects of repetitive thought have resulted in dimensional approaches, which propose that the positive or negative effects of cognition on adjustment depend on its content (Segerstrom et al., 2003; Watkins, 2008).
Several important dimensions have been identified: valence, purpose, and level of construal. Positively valenced repetitive thoughts tend to be associated with positive outcomes, especially when thoughts involve a searching purpose (i.e., exploring possibilities and understanding); negatively valenced repetitive thoughts tend to be associated with negative outcomes, especially when they involve a searching purpose and are abstract (Segerstrom et al., 2003, 2010, 2015; Watkins, 2008).
Different terms purportedly describe concepts similar to daydreaming. For example, mind wandering, task unrelated thoughts, stimulus‐independent thoughts, absorption, and fantasy proneness. The absence of unifying terminology makes it nearly impossible to compare various forms of mentation and their adaptivity.
Additionally, a deficit or variability in implementing attentional capacities is defined as a mental disorder, in the form of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inattentive type, but this definition does not distinguish between different sources of attentional variability or attempt to describe the mental activity occurring in place of task‐focusing.
Mind wandering can impose costs on task performance as attention becomes decoupled from external stimuli (Mooneyham & Schooler, 2013; Smallwood & Schooler, 2006)
The interplay between mind wandering, motivation, interest, and task performance by introducing focus back effort as a novel factor. The study demonstrates that interest indirectly predicts mind wandering through the mediating pathways of motivation and focus back effort.
Furthermore, interest indirectly influences task performance by impacting motivation, focus back effort, and mind wandering in high-load tasks. These results shed light on the underlying mechanism of focus back effort in the relationships among motivation, interest, mind wandering, and task performance, underscoring the pivotal role of executive control adjustments in resource allocation
It is expected that individuals who are highly motivated to complete a task will exhibit a higher level of focus back effort, leading to a reduction in mind wandering episodes.
Penulis: Nazwa Ramadhina (NIM: 2300545)
Mahasiswa Psikologi Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Editor: Ika Ayuni Lestari
Bahasa: Rahmat Al Kafi
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Daftar Pustaka
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