Japanese study reveals link between curiosity, anxiety and the wandering mind

Ryan General

13 November 2023 at 3:30 pm·2-min read

A Japanese scientist is shedding light on the complex interplay between curiosity, anxiety and mind-wandering.

About the study: Research published by Takahiro Sekiguchi of Tokyo Gakugei University in April delved into epistemic curiosity, which encompasses diversive curiosity (interest in a broad spectrum of subjects) and specific curiosity (more concentrated interest in particular areas).

The paper, titled "Curiosity Makes Your Mind Wander: Effects of Epistemic Curiosity and Trait Anxiety on Mind Wandering," involved two separate studies conducted by Sekiguchi on the influence of curiosity and anxiety on mind-wandering. The findings show that curious individuals are more prone to intentional and unintentional mind-wandering, while those with higher anxiety levels show poorer executive control, indirectly leading to increased mind-wandering.

Understanding mind wandering: Mind-wandering, also known as daydreaming, is a common cognitive phenomenon where a person's attention shifts from the immediate task to unrelated thoughts, memories or fantasies. While it's a normal part of human cognition, excessive mind-wandering can impact productivity. Previous research has linked mind-wandering to anxiety, depression and creative thinking, as well as the executive control capacities of an individual.

First study methodology and findings: In the first study, 260 psychology student participants completed assessments on epistemic curiosity, mind-wandering tendency, trait anxiety and executive control. The findings showed that anxiety was linked to increased mind-wandering and weakened executive control, indirectly influencing mind-wandering. The study also developed a statistical model supporting the mediating role of executive control in the anxiety-mind-wandering connection.

Second study methodology and findings: The second study, conducted online with 328 native Japanese speakers, revealed a faint link between diversive curiosity and unintentional mind-wandering. Individuals with a broad range of interests were marginally more prone to mind-wandering. The statistical model suggested that diversive curiosity might increase both intentional and unintentional mind-wandering. Anxiety, once again, impaired executive control, increasing the propensity for unintentional mind-wandering.

Implications and limitations: Sekiguchi’s research provides valuable insights, highlighting that trait anxiety is indirectly linked to mind-wandering through executive control, while epistemic curiosity has a direct influence. The paper notes, however, that the scientist's model doesn't allow for cause-and-effect conclusions, and the link between diversive curiosity and unintentional mind-wandering is weak.

More on NextShark:

Chinese student discovered secretly living under mall's stairs for 6 months

Sandara Park explains why she thinks Filipinos make great dates

Man secretly learns Korean for a year, surprises bride with Korean speech at wedding

Lancashire Telegraph
Jay Slater ‘took person's £12K Rolex’ watch and left rental property ‘feeling scared’
Mark Williams-Thomas, a former police officer, has provided an update after speaking with family, friends, and witnesses.
OK! Magazine
This Morning fans all say the same thing over Britain's most-tattooed woman as she joins show in bikini
Britain's 'most tattoed mum' made an appearance on This Morning in nothing but a white bikini to show off all of her tattoos, but fans all say 'it's her choice'
OK! Magazine
Corrie's 'Curly' Watts unrecognisable as he lands new role 20 years after soap exit
Kevin Kennedy is most recognised for his role as Norman "Curly" Watts on Coronation Street, but now, the actor is preparing to make his return to the stage in an entirely new role
The Guardian
Female tennis stars push boundaries with outfits at Wimbledon
Coco Gauff wears a Serena Williams-style dress while Naomi Osaka’s ruffles divide fans
The Telegraph
Father of missing Jay Slater questions why two men took the teenager to their cottage
Jay Slater’s father has questioned why two grown men took his son to a remote cottage in Tenerife before he disappeared.
The Daily Beast
Daughter, Zara Tindall, ‘Shaken to the Core’ by Princess Anne’s Amnesia
Zara Tindall has been left “shaken to the core” by her mother Princess Anne’s mystery encounter with a horse which left her with a brain injury that has resulted in amnesia, according to a report.OK! Magazine says that Zara, 43, has been left freaked out by the incident which saw Anne, 73, also known as The Princess Royal, struck by a horse while she was out walking, alone, on Sunday, June 23, at her home, Gatcombe Park, in the Cotswolds.She was treated at the scene and then hospitalized for fiv
The Telegraph
Starmer’s worst blunder should disqualify him as prime minister
The single biggest thing that happened over the last Parliament was the Covid crisis. It had an immeasurable impact on our economy and society. And Labour’s record in that period, especially during 2021, was appalling. Indeed it was sufficiently bad that at the time many people said Starmer’s errors ruled him out of any possible future as Prime Minister.
OK! Magazine
Ruth Langsford 'sends love' in touching message after heartbreaking loss
Ruth Langsford sent supportive words to her former Strictly Come Dancing co-star Gemma Atkinson after learning of her heartbreaking news
OK! Magazine
Prince Harry 'one of the most unpopular figures in the US' amid fresh controversy
A royal commentator has claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are "two of the most unpopular figures in the US" after Prince Harry's latest award received backlash
HuffPost
New Poll Finds 1 Democrat Absolutely Trouncing Trump
Just one problem: This person doesn't seem interested in running, should the opportunity arise.
Hello!
Davina McCall turns heads with daring photo in racy string bikini
Davina McCall isn't shy of strutting her stuff in a fabulous bikini. See her latest swimwear display.
OK! Magazine
Unlikely couple could move into Prince Andrew's Royal Lodge home in Windsor
As King Charles is reportedly urging his brother Prince Andrew to downsize his home from the Royal Lodge in Windsor to Frogmore Cottage, there are a few names being suggested as new residents
Manchester Evening News
GP says four signs in feet mean 'see a doctor'
Early clues of a potential issue can often be found in our feet
OK! Magazine
'Reason' wedge between Kate Middleton and Prince Harry has become 'even larger'
Princess Kate and Prince Harry were once incredibly close, with Harry even describing his sister-in-law as "the sister I never had, but always wanted"
Isle of Wight County Press
WATCH Shocking video shown in court of pensioner just missing cars head on
VIDEO Isle of Wight man aged 75 who drove a Citroen C3 dangerously appeared before magistrates.
News Shopper
Watch the horrible moment elderly man is pickpocketed on south east London bus
Organised crime groups are targeting vulnerable people visiting banks, police say. One incident was on a south east London bus.
Manchester Evening News
Urgent recall on blood pressure medication over cardiac arrest fears
Over 100 batches of faulty medication are being recalled as it could result in hyperkalemia, irregular heartbeats and even cardiac arrest
The Telegraph
Labour’s possible new job for Harriet Harman couldn’t be more alarming
Women’s rights have figured far more prominently in this election campaign than Labour would have liked. Now, in what should cause considerable alarm, the issue seems to be gathering momentum, with rumours swirling that Harriet Harman, who is retiring as an MP, is set to be appointed as the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The Independent
How do Tour de France riders go to the toilet?
How do the peloton answer nature’s call out on the road?
OK! Magazine
Prince William 'rubbed salt in the wound' with Meghan Markle during Taylor Swift tour
Prince William reportedly left his sister-in-law Meghan Markle feeling 'sore' after he shared a selfie with Taylor Swift following reports the pop star turned her down

Final poll forecasts big Labour win

Japanese study reveals link between curiosity, anxiety and the wandering mind

Latest stories

Jay Slater ‘took person's £12K Rolex’ watch and left rental property ‘feeling scared’

This Morning fans all say the same thing over Britain's most-tattooed woman as she joins show in bikini

Corrie's 'Curly' Watts unrecognisable as he lands new role 20 years after soap exit

Female tennis stars push boundaries with outfits at Wimbledon

Father of missing Jay Slater questions why two men took the teenager to their cottage

Daughter, Zara Tindall, ‘Shaken to the Core’ by Princess Anne’s Amnesia

Starmer’s worst blunder should disqualify him as prime minister

Ruth Langsford 'sends love' in touching message after heartbreaking loss

Prince Harry 'one of the most unpopular figures in the US' amid fresh controversy

New Poll Finds 1 Democrat Absolutely Trouncing Trump

Davina McCall turns heads with daring photo in racy string bikini

Unlikely couple could move into Prince Andrew's Royal Lodge home in Windsor

GP says four signs in feet mean 'see a doctor'

'Reason' wedge between Kate Middleton and Prince Harry has become 'even larger'

WATCH Shocking video shown in court of pensioner just missing cars head on

Watch the horrible moment elderly man is pickpocketed on south east London bus

Urgent recall on blood pressure medication over cardiac arrest fears

Labour’s possible new job for Harriet Harman couldn’t be more alarming

How do Tour de France riders go to the toilet?

Prince William 'rubbed salt in the wound' with Meghan Markle during Taylor Swift tour