CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Progress
Stuck in My Mind: Absorption and Memory
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology
2nd Student Major
Japanese Translation and Interpretation
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Patrick Cushen, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) can be described as a compulsive immersion in vivid, complex daydreamed plots that are accompanied by intense emotional involvement and stereotypical movements (Soffer-Dudek & Theodor-Katz, 2022). Somer, Soffer-Dudek, and Ross (2017) identified comorbidities between MD and several different disorders such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Research has also shown that MD is related to Tellegen’s concept of absorption, a phenomenon characterized by one’s disposition to have episodes in which their attention is fully engaged in some outside object (Abu-Rayya, Somer, & Meari-Amir, 2019; Tellegen & Atkinson, 1974). This study seeks to investigate the many ways that absorption and memory deficits may manifest themselves in MD, especially in the context of absorption in and memory for a read fictional story. Participants will be asked to read a fictional story and complete assessments of their working memory, maladaptive daydreaming symptoms, absorption, and story memory.
Keywords: maladaptive daydreaming, absorption, story world absorption, working memory
Spring Scholars Week 2024 Event
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Stuck in My Mind: Absorption and Memory
Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) can be described as a compulsive immersion in vivid, complex daydreamed plots that are accompanied by intense emotional involvement and stereotypical movements (Soffer-Dudek & Theodor-Katz, 2022). Somer, Soffer-Dudek, and Ross (2017) identified comorbidities between MD and several different disorders such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Research has also shown that MD is related to Tellegen’s concept of absorption, a phenomenon characterized by one’s disposition to have episodes in which their attention is fully engaged in some outside object (Abu-Rayya, Somer, & Meari-Amir, 2019; Tellegen & Atkinson, 1974). This study seeks to investigate the many ways that absorption and memory deficits may manifest themselves in MD, especially in the context of absorption in and memory for a read fictional story. Participants will be asked to read a fictional story and complete assessments of their working memory, maladaptive daydreaming symptoms, absorption, and story memory.
Keywords: maladaptive daydreaming, absorption, story world absorption, working memory