Minding Your Own Business? Mindfulness Decreases Prosocial Behavior for People With Independent Self-Construals

Mindfulness appears to promote individual well-being, but its interpersonal effects are less clear. Two studies in adult populations tested whether the effects of mindfulness on prosocial behavior differ according to individuals’ self-construals. In Study 1 ( N = 366), a brief mindfulness induction, compared with a meditation control condition, led to decreased prosocial behavior among people with relatively independent self-construals but had the opposite effect among those with relatively interdependent self-construals. In Study 2 ( N = 325), a mindfulness induction led to decreased prosocial behavior among people primed with independence but had the opposite effect among those primed with interdependence. The effects of mindfulness on prosocial behavior appear to depend on individuals’ broader social goals. This may have implications for the increasing popularity of mindfulness training around the world.

Minding your own business? Mindfulness decreases prosocial behavior for those with independent self-construals

Mindfulness appears to promote individual well-being, but its interpersonal effects are less clear. Two studies in adult populations tested whether the effects of mindfulness on prosocial behavior differ by self-construals. In Study 1 (N = 366), a brief mindfulness induction, compared to a meditation control, led to decreased prosocial behavior among people with relatively independent self-construals, but had the opposite effect among those with relatively interdependent self-construals. In Study 2 (N = 325), a mindfulness induction led to decreased prosocial behavior among those primed with independence, but had the opposite effect among those primed with interdependence. The effects of mindfulness on prosocial behavior appear to depend on individuals' broader social goals. This may have implications for the increasing popularity of mindfulness training around the world.

Mindfulness and intergroup bias: A systematic review

People’s proclivity for favoring their ingroups over outgroups has negative consequences for individuals, groups, and societies. Social psychologists have explored a variety of techniques to reduce these intergroup biases. Emerging research suggests that mindfulness may be effective for this purpose. Mindfulness is defined as present-moment attention and awareness with an accepting attitude, and it is often cultivated through meditation. Our systematic review of the mindfulness-intergroup literature suggests that, across the heterogeneity of paradigms, mindfulness attenuates intergroup bias. Supporting this supposition, for all studies in the current review, regardless of operationalization of mindfulness (i.e., mindfulness-based intervention, brief mindfulness induction, expert meditators, dispositional mindfulness), the overall effect size was g = +.29 ( k-number of studies = 36; 95% CI [0.20, 0.39]; Z = 5.94, p < .0001), suggesting a small but significant effect of mindfulness on improved levels of intergroup bias. In the current work, we review the eligible studies and their findings in detail and conclude by discussing critical issues and implications for future research.

Exploring the Impact of Mindfulness on False-Memory Susceptibility

Wilson, Mickes, Stolarz-Fantino, Evrard, and Fantino (2015) presented data from three well-powered experiments suggesting that a brief mindfulness induction can increase false-memory susceptibility. However, we had concerns about some of the methodology, including whether mind wandering is the best control condition for brief mindfulness inductions. Here, we report the findings from a preregistered double-blind randomized controlled trial designed to replicate and extend Wilson et al.’s findings. Participants ( N = 287) underwent 15-min mindfulness or mind-wandering inductions or completed a join-the-dots task before being presented with lists of words related to nonpresented critical lures. This was followed by free-recall and recognition tasks. There was no evidence for an effect of state of mind on correct or false recall or recognition. Furthermore, manipulation checks revealed that mindfulness and mind-wandering inductions activated overlapping states of mind. Exploratory analyses provided some support for mindfulness increasing false memory, but it appears that mind wandering may not be the right control for brief mindfulness research.

The Role of Mindfulness in Viewing and Making Art In Children and Adults.

Objectives. Mindfulness training has been shown to have robust attentional and cognitivebenefits. However, little is known about its effects on viewing and making art. Here, we exploredthe effects of mindfulness-based manipulation in art viewing and art making in two studies.Methods. In Study 1, elementary school children (N = 59) participated in an art tour of theKidspace gallery at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), andviewed and made artworks either with or without mindfulness manipulation. In Study 2university students (N = 193) were randomly assigned to either the mindfulness or the controlcondition, and also viewed and made artworks. Results. In Study 1, elementary students whoreceived mindfulness induction (vs. control) reported larger difference in excitement levelsbetween the previously seen versus new artworks, expressing more excitement about the old vs.new artworks. Further, the artworks created by children in the mindfulness (vs. control)condition were rated by independent judges as more creative and more complex. In Study 2,university students who received the mindfulness (vs. control) induction reported better memoryfor previously seen vs. new artworks. Their own artworks were rated by independent judges asmore creative, abstract, and expressive compared to the participants in the control condition.Conclusions. Together, results suggest that mindfulness-based practices may result in a deeperart viewing experience, and in personal art that is more creative and expressive in both childrenand adults.