The resource-availability model of distraction and mind-wandering

This article presents a cognitive model of distraction and mind-wandering that combines formalizes several existing theories. It assumes task-related goals opportunities for are continuously in competition mental resources. If the goal does not need particular resource at moment, likelihood it is captured by high. We applied this to explain results three experiments differ from each other number ways. The first experiment slow-paced study; main result less occurs if subjects have maintain an item working memory. second memory task which triggered presence self-referential words secondary task; these increase elaboration reduce performance. third arithmetic/ memory/visual attention task, became more distracted flanking (irrelevant) video as increased complexity: time think, they leave visual vulnerable distraction. Although phenomena been treated separately literature, we show can be explained single comprehensive based on assumption distractions target unused