LIFE IN THE FAST (THOUGHT) LANE: Exploring the Relationship Between Mental Motion, Mood, and the Human Stress Response

Abstract

The human mind is in a state of constant motion. As we observe, perceive, and make sense of the world around us, our minds respond and adapt to the changing surroundings, generating fluctuations in mental motion characterized by shifts in thought speed and thought variability (Pronin & Jacobs, 2008). Previous scientific literature has shown that faster thinking generally corresponds with a more positive mood and inflated perception of the self and personal competence (Pronin & Wegner, 2006; Pronin, 2013). However, research on mental motion has failed to address the instability of the real world, particularly how this relationship between fast thought speed and positive mood may look different when individuals are faced with external challenges. The following study investigated whether humans respond differently to faster and slower thinking when experiencing a stressful situation. It was hypothesized that gradually decreasing thought speed would result in the lowest ratings for stress, more positive mood, and greater performance confidence—this is based on the gradual slowing process central to mindfulness-based techniques for stress reduction. This hypothesis was unsupported by the results of this study. Participants induced to think at a constant, slow thought speed had the highest average rating for positive mood, while participants induced to think at a constant, neutral thought speed showed the lowest average rating for stressed mood and highest average rating for performance confidence. Although statistically insignificant, the results from this study blur the original relationship between faster thinking and more positive mood and highlight the benefits of slower thinking when it aids in maintaining individuals’ baseline states. This study pushes for further research on mental motion and stress and promotes awareness of our thought patterns and surroundings during times of stress.

Keywords: mental motion, thought speed, thought variability, mood, stress, stress response, stress reduction, mindfulness, meditation