Self-Regulation, Mind Wandering, and Cognitive Absorption During Technology Use

Abstract

Interaction with technology involves not only externally directed cognition, but also internally directed cognition. Although the information systems (IS) field has made a significant progress toward understanding of how individuals use technology, more emphasis has been given to goal-directed external activity that requires focused external attention and less or no emphasis on goal-directed internal activity called mind wandering. Drawing upon the emerging cognitive neuroscience literature, the current research investigates the relationships between self-regulation, mind wandering, and cognitive absorption. Specifically, we hypothesize there is a U-shape relationship between mind wandering and cognitive absorption. Based on a cross-sectional study of 323 individuals, the results reveal that the relationship between mind wandering and cognitive absorption is curve-linear. As mind wandering increases, cognitive absorption decreases to a certain point, after which, cognitive absorption increases as mind wandering increases. The results also show self-regulation has a significant effect on mind wandering and cognitive absorption.

Does the type of mind wandering matter? Extending the inquiry about the role of mind wandering in the IT use experience

“…The expected relationship between these constructs is thus inconclusive, though it is possible that this is due to the lack of clarity in the mind wandering construct. In this paper, we further refine this relationship described by Sullivan and Davis (2020) with evidence that the relationship between mind wandering and cognitive absorption may be influenced by the variety of mind wandering reported. Learning more about the relationship between internally directed cognitive processes, such as mind wandering and states of IT use, such as cognitive absorption, can give insight into the mental antecedents of IT use.…”

“…In their seminal paper, Agarwal and Karahanna (2000) defined cognitive absorption as a state of deep engagement with software when users lose a sense of external attention. Today, it is recognized as a conceptualization of the IT use state (Burton-Jones and Straub, 2006;Sullivan and Davis, 2020;Venkatesh et al, 2012). Agarwal and Karahanna (2000) highlighted five dimensions of the phenomenon: temporal dissociation, focused immersion, heightened enjoyment, control and curiosity.…”

“…Agarwal and Karahanna (2000) highlighted five dimensions of the phenomenon: temporal dissociation, focused immersion, heightened enjoyment, control and curiosity. Sullivan and Davis (2020) explored ways that internally directed cognitive processes, such as mind wandering, play in influencing the well-studied cognitive absorption construct. They found that there is a curve-linear relationship between the two, where mind wandering can have a negative effect on cognitive absorption to a point when it turns positive.…”

Measuring Mind Wandering During Online Lectures Assessed With EEG

“…The cognitive theory of multimedia learning ( Mayer and Moreno, 2003 ) posits that task load generated by extraneous factors inhibits learning but that a moderate degree of cognitive load facilitates learning. On the other hand, it is possible that the present task was not sufficiently demanding that this influenced learning; some findings suggest that there is a u-shaped relationship between mind wandering and mental workload ( Sullivan and Davis, 2020 ), though this requires further research. Regardless of these limitations, the findings overall suggest that attention is redirected away from videos and toward external stimuli during periods of mind wandering during online lecture use, and that this may explain the negative impact of mind wandering in learning environments.…”

Detecting Mind Wandering Episodes in Virtual Realities Using Eye Tracking

“…Because the interest in mind wandering has significantly increased in psychological and neuroscientific as well as IS research [22], different measurement scales have been proposed. However, the operationalization of mind wandering in IS-related conditions is still immature and incomplete [25][26][27]29]. For instance, only little research exists that investigates the neurophysiological measures (e.g., EEG) in the domain of IS research (i.e., NeuroIS).…”