ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Psychol.
Sec. Cognition
Mind-Wandering in China and the UK: Evidence of Cross-Cultural Consistency
University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Abstract Mind wandering has been studied using various operational definitions, resulting in conceptual inconsistencies. Understanding whether it reflects universal cognitive patterns or cultural shaped experiences is critical for theories of attention and self-regulation. This study developed an integrative taxonomy of mind wandering experiences and tested its cross-cultural stability by comparing British and Chinese participants. Using mixed methods, participants completed a monotonous task designed to provoke mind wandering, followed by a semi-structured interview probing the content and contexts. Results revealed that mind wandering characteristically involves self-generated thoughts, with participants frequently aware of these and allowing them to continue. While no significant cultural differences were found in frequency or causes of mind wandering, British participants more frequently described its effects as non-negative, whereas Chinese participants emphasised negative outcomes, possibly reflecting cultural values that prioritise effortful attention as a moral duty. This highlights the interplay between universal cognitive processes and cultural influences.
Summary
Keywords
causes of mind wandering, Cross-cultural variation, Meta-awareness, mind wandering, self-generated thought
Received
29 September 2025
Accepted
12 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Du, Tolmie and Gordon. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Qiuyu Du; Rebecca Gordon
Disclaimer
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