Visual Boundedness Theory: How Environmental Structure Modulates Internal vs External Attentional Modes.

Human cognition unfolds within visual environments that differ markedly in their spatial structure. This paper proposes Visual Boundedness Theory, which posits that visual field boundedness acts as a systematic modulator of attentional mode. The framework integrates perceptual processing demands, competition for limited attentional resources, brain network dynamics, and spatial grounding via hippocampal processing. According to the theory, bounded environments facilitate internal attentional modes (mind wandering, imagination) by freeing cognitive resources, whereas unbounded environments promote present-moment, externally oriented awareness. The theory generates testable hypotheses and outlines an empirical validation strategy.