Two models of mind blanking
Angelica Kaufmann, Sara Parmigiani, Toshikazu Kawagoe, Elliot Zabaroff, Barnaby Wells
European Journal of Neuroscience October 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16164 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMind blanking is a mental state where attention fails to bring any perceptual input into conscious awareness. To better understand this largely unexplored phenomenon, a multifaceted approach combining self-assessment, neuroimaging, and neuromodulation is suggested. Electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation could help determine whether mind blanking involves a complete lack of mental content or merely a lack of linguistically or conceptually determinable content. The article also questions whether mind blanking occurs spontaneously or intentionally, and whether these two forms share the same neural correlates.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Blanking Perception Mental state Neuroimaging Cognitive psychology |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key finding | Proposes that combining electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation can help determine whether mind blanking is associated with a lack of mental content or a lack of linguistically or conceptually determinable mental content, and questions whether spontaneous and intentional mind blanking share the same neural correlates. |
Abstract
Mind blanking is a mental state in which attention does not bring any perceptual input into conscious awareness. As this state is still largely unexplored, we suggest that a comprehensive understanding of mind blanking can be achieved through a multifaceted approach combining self-assessment methods, neuroimaging and neuromodulation. In this article, we explain how electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation could be combined to help determine whether mind blanking is associated with a lack of mental content or a lack of linguistically or conceptually determinable mental content. We also question whether mind blanking occurs spontaneously or intentionally and whether these two forms are instantiated by the same or different neural correlates.