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Spontaneous Thought And Goal Pursuit: From Functions Such As Planning To Dysfunctions Such As Rumination, Eric Klinger, Ernest H.W. Koster, Igor Marchetti
Spontaneous Thought And Goal Pursuit: From Functions Such As Planning To Dysfunctions Such As Rumination, Eric Klinger, Ernest H.W. Koster, Igor Marchetti
Psychology Publications
Spontaneous thoughts occur by default in the interstices between directed, task-oriented thoughts or moments of perceptual scrutiny. Their contents are overwhelmingly related to thinkers’ current goals, either directly or indirectly via associative networks, including past and future goals. Their evocation is accompanied by emotional responses that vary widely in type, valence, and intensity. Given these properties of thought flow, spontaneous thoughts are highly adaptive as (1) reminders of the individual’s larger agenda of goals while occupied with pursuing any one of them, (2) promotion of planning for future goal pursuits, (3) deeper understanding of past goal-related experiences, and (4) development …