The dynamic framework of mind wandering revisited: How mindful meta-awareness affects mental states' constraints.

The dynamic framework of mind wandering, which views it as a spontaneous thought phenomenon, is revised by adding the concept of mindful meta-awareness. This integration changes the framework in two key ways: meta-awareness alters how thoughts relate to constraints, so the original criteria for mind wandering no longer apply, and lucid dreaming can be seen as unguided thought that still relies on deliberate constraints. The modified framework may aid in treating mental disorders involving altered spontaneous thought, such as depression and nightmares.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The dynamic framework of mind wandering (Christoff, Irving, Fox, Spreng, & Andrews-Hanna, 2016) is reviewed and modified through integrating the construct of mindful meta-awareness. The dynamic framework maintains that mind wandering belongs to a family of spontaneous thought phenomena. The key defining feature of mind wandering is 'spontaneity' which characterizes the dynamic nature of thoughts in the framework. The argument is made that incorporating the mindful meta-awareness construct modifies the dynamic framework as follows: (1) the framework's criteria for mind wandering do not hold anymore as meta-awareness changes the relationship between thoughts and constraints, and (2) lucid dreaming can be categorized as unguided thought while at the same time being dependent on deliberate constraints. Finally, the application of this modified framework will be discussed in terms of the treatment of mental disorders related to spontaneous thought alterations, in particular depression and nightmares.