The Influence of Mind-Wandering and Brain Signal Complexity on Visual Perceptual Learning
Date
2024-08-15
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Abstract
Mind-wandering, or shifts in attention from task-related to task-unrelated thoughts, occupies up to 50% of our waking hours and impacts neural and behavioural functioning. Mind-wandering is associated with impaired performance on cognitive tasks but may facilitate performance on creative problem-solving tasks. Until now, research has focused on the impact of mind-wandering on immediate task performance, but the association with learning-related gains over time remains unclear. Previous research examining brain signal complexity during task performance showed that periods of mind-wandering were associated with higher signal complexity compared with on-task states, reflecting increased neural flexibility. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether higher signal complexity associated with mind-wandering may represent a flexible neural state conducive to learning. Twenty-eight adults underwent electroencephalography (EEG) recording while performing a visual texture discrimination task before and after a training period, with their attention state probed throughout the experiment. Task performance improved (p = .033), the amount of mind-wandering increased (p = .016), and N1 and P3 event-related potential (ERP) amplitudes were modulated (p’s < .01) significantly following training. Neural results showed that increased mind-wandering, smaller N1 amplitudes, and better post-training performance were associated with widespread increased signal complexity (p = .001), and that larger ERP amplitudes and better baseline performance were associated with a greater reliance on global signal complexity (p = .038). Overall, these results suggest that a high-flexibility brain state associated with mind-wandering may support learning in low-level perceptual tasks.
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Keywords
Brain signal complexity, Electroencephalography (EEG), Event-related potential (ERP), Mind-wandering, Multiscale entropy (MSE), Texture discrimination task (TDT), Visual perceptual learning
Citation
Krile, L. (2024). The influence of mind-wandering and brain signal complexity on visual perceptual learning (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.