Examining interpersonal self-transcendence as a potential mechanism linking meditation and social outcomes

Different types of meditation can help people develop skills that improve later social interactions. A key mechanism is self-transcendence, the drive to benefit others beyond oneself. Self-transcendence cultivated through meditation affects social outcomes via two pathways: it transforms rigid, defensive self-focus into flexible and receptive self-construals, and it increases positive other-focus by integrating reward and social signals in the brain. These accounts offer a practical solution for positively transforming social relations and highlight the potential usefulness of considering self-transcendence in research on the social effects of meditation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Distinct types of meditation practice addressed in this review can help cultivate skills people may bring to later social interactions. We examine self-transcendence, or the drive to benefit others beyond the self, as a key mechanism through which meditation may promote positive social outcomes. Self-transcendence cultivated through various styles of meditation can impact social outcomes through two main pathways: First, self-transcendence can turn rigid, defensive self-focus into flexible and receptive self-construals. Second, it can increase positive other-focus by integrating reward and social signals in the brain. These accounts offer one practical solution of positively transforming social relations and highlight potential usefulness of considering self-transcendence in researching social effects of meditation.