Yes, people can daydream and pay attention at the same time to some extent, although the degree to which they can do both simultaneously may vary from person to person.
Daydreaming is a form of mind-wandering or spontaneous thought, where individuals allow their minds to drift away from the immediate task or environment and enter a state of imagination or fantasy. It often involves scenarios unrelated to the present moment and can be triggered by various factors, such as boredom, lack of stimulation, or personal thoughts and desires.
On the other hand, paying attention involves focusing on a specific task, activity, or information at hand, and it requires mental effort and concentration. Being attentive allows individuals to process and absorb information, perform tasks effectively, and engage with their surroundings.
It is possible for individuals to experience mild daydreaming or have fleeting thoughts while remaining attentive to their primary task. For example, someone in a boring meeting might find their mind wandering to thoughts of upcoming weekend plans but can still catch the key points being discussed in the meeting.
However, there are limits to how much attention can be divided between daydreaming and the primary task. When the daydreaming becomes more intense or consuming, attention to the primary task tends to suffer, leading to reduced performance, comprehension, or memory retention.
Ultimately, the ability to daydream and pay attention simultaneously can depend on several factors, including the nature of the primary task, individual cognitive abilities, and the intensity of the daydreaming. While mild daydreaming may not significantly impact attention, more intense daydreaming may interfere with focused tasks.