The Use of Eye Movements as an Objective Measure of Mind Wandering

Previous research on mind wandering has used subjective verbal reports as a means to acquire the frequency and rate of its occurrence. I proposed the use of eye movements as an objective measure of mind wandering while participants attempted a reading task. Participants were placed in a self-classified probe-caught mind wandering paradigm while their eye movements were recorded. They were randomly probed every 2-3 minutes and were required to indicate whether their mind had been wandering before they were allowed to continue reading. The overall pattern showed that eye movement behaviour was slower and less frequent when participants reported mind wandering episodes, with duration and frequency of within-word regressions reaching levels of statistical significance. It may be that the cognitive processes that normally guide eye movements during reading exert less control during mind wandering episodes. Other implications and limitations are discussed.MAS