Publications [#349003] of Paul Seli

Journal Articles

1. Seli, P; O'Neill, K; Carriere, JSA; Smilek, D; Beaty, RE; Schacter, DL (2021). Mind-Wandering Across the Age Gap: Age-Related Differences in Mind-Wandering Are Partially Attributable to Age-Related Differences in Motivation.. The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 76(7), 1264-1271. [doi]
   (last updated on 2024/04/16)

   Abstract:
   

   Objectives

   A common finding in the mind-wandering literature is that older adults (OAs) tend to mind-wander less frequently than young adults (YAs). Here, we sought to determine whether this age-related difference in mind-wandering is attributable to age-related differences in motivation.

   Method

   YAs and OAs completed an attention task during which they responded to thought probes that assessed rates of mind-wandering, and they provided self-reports of task-based motivation before and after completion of the attention task.

   Results

   Age-related differences in mind-wandering are partially explained by differences in motivation, and motivating YAs via incentive diminishes mind-wandering differences across these groups.

   Discussion

   We consider these results in the context of theories on age-related differences in mind wandering, with a specific focus on their relevance to the recently proposed motivational account of such age-related differences.