An introduction to the scientific problem of the “mind wandering” phenomenon

The problem of the “wandering mind” phenomenon is considered in an interdisciplinary perspective. We provide evidence that the “wandering mind” is the cause of attention errors when performing cognitive tasks, both in laboratory conditions and in professional and daily activities. We show the role of “wandering mind” in the modeling of personal psychological future. According D. Kahneman’s conceptual views on the thinking nature, the “wandering mind” is a prerequisite of appearance of creative ways to solve ambiguous problems (“creative insight”) in the process of thinking. Based on the B.F. Lomov’s methodological conception, we reveal the need for considering the problem of “wandering mind” along with socio-psychological characteristics of a group (such as, for example, incorporativity), which includes subjects that are in the described condition.

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