|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Paying attention to not paying attention
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Issue
|
| Contributor | Penguin |
| Last Edited | Penguin Mar 19, 2007 08:18pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | Study |
| Media | Website - Yahoo News |
| News Date | Tuesday, March 20, 2007 02:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | NEW YORK - Researchers are studying a pervasive psychological phenomenon in which oh man we've got to finish doing the taxes this weekend ... C'mon, admit it. Your train of thought has derailed like that many times. It's just mind-wandering. We all do it, and surprisingly often, whether we're struggling to avoid it or not.
Mainstream psychology hasn't paid much attention to this common mental habit. But a spate of new studies is chipping away at its mysteries and scientists say the topic is beginning to gain visibility.
Someday, such research may turn up ways to help students keep their focus on textbooks and lectures, and drivers to keep their minds on the road. It may reveal ways to reap payoffs from the habit.
And it might shed light on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which can include an unusually severe inability to focus that causes trouble in multiple areas of life.
More generally, scientists say, mind-wandering is worth studying because it's just too common to ignore. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
