Mind-Wandering and Creativity at Work

Abstract

This thesis explores the phenomenon of mind-wandering in the workplace and its relationship with creativity, addressing a critical gap in organisational psychology. While mind-wandering has been extensively studied in cognitive psychology, its role in organisational settings remains underexplored. Although the relationship between mind-wandering and creativity has been examined, the findings have been inconsistent. The thesis addresses three primary aims, each explored in a separate publishable article: (1) to describe and compare the content and characteristics of mind-wandering during working hours and outside of work, (2) to examine the existing evidence regarding the relationship between mind-wandering and creativity, and (3) to investigate whether the effect of mind-wandering on creativity is moderated by affect. The first article employed an experience sampling methodology to track employees’ mind-wandering episodes during and outside of work hours. The findings indicated that while mind-wandering occurred less frequently during work hours, work-related thoughts persisted into personal time, often with a future orientation. This challenges the notion that mind-wandering serves only as a distraction and highlights its strategic role in addressing future work-related issues. The second article conducted a systematic literature review of 52 articles, revealing that the relationship between mind-wandering and creativity is inconsistent and influenced by varied definitions and operationalisations of both constructs. The review suggested that mind-wandering associated with constructive or problem-solving content had more consistently positive links to creativity, whereas general task-unrelated thought had less favourable outcomes. The literature review underscored the need for further study of these variables and the inclusion of new moderators, such as affect. The third article investigated the role of affect in moderating the relationship between mind-wandering and creativity through two experiments. It found that mind-wandering did not enhance divergent thinking under positive affect, while in conjunction with high-activation negative affect significantly reduced creative performance. These results challenged existing theories suggesting that unconstrained mind-wandering promotes creativity, demonstrating that emotional states critically influence its creative potential. The contributions of this thesis are significant for advancing theories on mind-wandering in the workplace and its relationship with creativity. Firstly, the findings challenge the traditional view of mind-wandering as merely a distraction, demonstrating that its effects are context-dependent. Mind-wandering can serve a strategic function when it involves work-related future-oriented thoughts but may also hinder creative performance when accompanied by high-activation negative affect. Secondly, by integrating findings from experience sampling, systematic review, and experimental research, this thesis clarifies when and how mind-wandering contributes to creativity. Finally, these insights have practical implications for organisations, suggesting that work environments should be structured to balance focused work with opportunities for beneficial mind-wandering. By refining theoretical perspectives and offering actionable recommendations, this thesis provides a foundation for future research and workplace applications.

Date of Award	28 Jan 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	David Holman (Main Supervisor) & Kara Ng (Co Supervisor)