Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/11375/25240
Title: | Understanding How Motivation Impacts Learning Through Mind Wandering |
Authors: | Pachai, Amy A. |
Advisor: | Kim, Joseph A. Shore, David I. |
Department: | Psychology |
Keywords: | mind wandering;learning;attention;motivation |
Publication Date: | 2020 |
Abstract: | The current thesis intersects cognition and education to study the mental experience of mind wandering and its consequences. This research examines attention and memory using materials, methodologies, and research questions drawn from authentic classroom environments. The overarching question driving this thesis centres on when and why students mind wander during lectures, and how we can reduce its negative impact on learning. The hypothesis underpinning all the presented research proposes that stronger motivation reduces mind wandering, thus improving learning outcomes. The current thesis examines how three different motivational manipulations affect reports of intentional mind wandering—when participants deliberately choose to redirect their attention away from the lecture—and unintentional mind wandering—when participants find their attention to be off-task despite their best efforts to stay focused. Quizzing, monetary rewards, and time-based rewards affected mind wandering reports, particularly reports of intentional mind wandering. Although, throughout this thesis, there was no direct impact on learning, there was consistent evidence of a negative correlation between mind wandering reports and learning. Based on these findings, this thesis discusses implications for the enterprise of mind wandering research, principles of motivation to leverage in education, and pedagogies to improve the classroom learning experience. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/25240 |
Appears in Collections: | Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Pachai_Amy_A_2020-01_PhD.pdf | 763.55 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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