Computational modelling approaches to meditation research: why should we care?
Marieke K. van Vugt, Amir Moye, Swagath Sivakumar
Current Opinion in Psychology August 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.10.011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that computational modeling can provide insights into the mechanisms by which meditation produces its effects on cognition and can help predict generalization to other contexts. |
Abstract
Computational modeling and meditation are not frequently mentioned in the same breath. However, in this article we argue that computational modeling can provide insights into the mechanisms by which meditation produces its effects on cognition. Moreover, computational modeling allows the researcher to make predictions about how effects of meditation will generalize to other contexts such as other tasks, which can be tested in subsequent experiments. In addition, computational theories can help to clarify similarities and differences between meditation practices, which is crucial for mapping out the space of contemplative practices. In short, even though computational modeling has not yet been used extensively, we think this approach can make important contributions to the field of meditation research.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- An Overview of Neurophenomenological Approaches to Meditation and Their Relevance to Clinical Research. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging April 1, 2025
- Brief mindfulness-based meditation enhances the speed of learning following positive prediction errors Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology January 17, 2024
- Brief mindfulness meditation increases risk-taking behavior. Scientific Reports January 30, 2026
- A Dynamical Model of Subjectivity: Integrating Affective Gain, Cognitive Bias, and Self-Regulation August 18, 2025
- Distinguishing the Attentional Mechanisms of Distinct Mindfulness States: A Computational Modeling Comparison of Focused Attention and Open Monitoring. Mindfulness 2026
and 3 more in the library
Cites 11
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Conceptual and methodological issues in research on mindfulness and meditation. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Investigating the phenomenological matrix of mindfulness-related practices from a neurocognitive perspective. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Intensive meditation training improves perceptual discrimination and sustained attention. Psychological Science June 1, 2010
and 6 more in the library