Experience sampling of attentional states has consistently demonstrated that mind wandering is a frequent and disruptive obstacle when one must sustain attention during continuous task performance. Yet, methods commonly used to assess the subjective experience of mind wandering may conflate several potential sources of meaningful variation in individuals' degree of task engagement. In the present study, we examined evidence for distinct and identifiable patterns in subjective reports of the degree of task-related attentional focus during a sustained attention task in a large sample of adults (N = 537). Experience sampling probes embedded in the task assessed task-related focus using a continuum of response ratings ranging from 1 (on-task) to 6 (off-task). Participants used a range of probe response options in categorizing their current attentional state, and the continuum of probe ratings differentiated patterns of behavioral performance in the moments preceding probes. Markov-chain modeling of the categorical time series sequence of probe ratings further revealed distinct and behaviorally relevant hidden states underlying probe rating behavior. We replicated these findings in two additional independent data sets. Collectively, these findings suggest that three or more hidden attentional states best account for subjective ratings of task-related focus. The implications of these findings for models of sustained attention and mind wandering are discussed.

注意力状态的经验采样始终表明，在连续任务执行过程中必须持续保持注意力时，思维游荡是一种频繁且破坏性的障碍。但是，通常用于评估心理游荡的主观体验的方法可能会混淆个体任务参与程度有意义变化的几种潜在来源。在本研究中，我们在大量成年人（N  = 537）的持续关注任务中，检查了与任务相关的关注焦点程度的主观报告中不同且可识别的模式的证据。嵌入在任务经验采样探针使用响应的评分范围从1（的连续评估任务有关的焦点上任务）至6（脱任务）。参与者在对他们当前的注意力状态进行分类时使用了一系列的探查响应选项，探查评级的连续性区别了探查之前的行为表现模式。探针评级的分类时间序列的马尔可夫链建模进一步揭示了探针评级行为背后的独特且行为相关的隐藏状态。我们在另外两个独立的数据集中复制了这些发现。总的来说，这些发现表明三个或更多隐藏的注意力状态最能说明与任务相关的焦点的主观评价。讨论了这些发现对于持续关注和思维游荡模型的意义。