走神的理论假设、影响因素及其神经机制

围绕“为什么会走神”这一问题, 文章首先介绍了走神的两个理论假设：解耦合假设和执行控制失败假设。接着论述了影响走神的各种因素, 并探讨了走神的神经机制。最后指出未来研究应着眼于走神的潜在功能来发展理论假设; 整合影响走神的各种因素到一个模型中, 从而更好地发现各因素对走神的综合影响; 应用同步脑电和功能磁共振成像技术以更精确地探索走神的神经机制。此外, 对特殊群体的走神研究以及走神的跨文化研究也是很有必要的。

Mind Wandering: Theoretical Hypotheses,Influential Factors and Neural Mechanisms

Focusing on the question of why our minds wander, this paper first introduces two theoretical hypotheses of mind wandering: the decoupling hypothesis and the executive-control failure hypothesis. Afterwards we discuss the factors that may influence mind wandering and the neural mechanisms of mind wandering. Lastly, we propose something we should do in future studies: focus on the potential functions of mind wandering to develop theoretical hypotheses; integrate factors that may influence mind wandering into a model that can help us to better understand the comprehensive impacts of these factors; use a simultaneous EEG-fMRI technique to more accurately explore the neural mechanisms of mind wandering. In addition, research into specific groups’ mind wandering and cross-cultural research of mind wandering are also needed.