2.  What is the neural basis for mind wandering
and its relation to ongoing behavior?
 What is the role of the executive system
during mind wandering?
 What is the relationship between meta-
awareness and neural recruitment
associated with mind wandering?

3.  Neurophenomenology – objective with the subjective
 Default network (DN) – brain regions that are
recruited more with decreasing external task
demands
Reflects personal, internally focused thoughts
 Executive network (EN) – consistently activated
during demanding mental activity
 Experience sampling – intermittently probing subjects
to provide self-reports about current mental state
with Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART)

4.  Sustained Attention to
Response Task
(SART)
 1 digit every 2secs;
identify #3 by NOT
pressing button
(?)
 “Pseudorandom” probe
questions (?)
› Focused on time
interval 10secs before
probe (?)

6.  MW is associated with the core of the DN
 Processes in DN and EN overlap in MW
 MW strongest without meta-awareness
 Higher levels of executive recruitment has 3
possibilities
› Multitasking
› Attempt to return attention to task
› Conflict detection in MW content
 Distinction in MW (process vs. content)
 Reverse Inference

7.  Is it possible that the brain’s wandering is its
attempt to better complete the task since
mind wandering is attributed to strengthening
circuits that contribute to improved learning?