Mindfulness training selectively reduces altruistic behaviour in low-cost situations.
Tian Xie, Xinmei Zhao, Tianxiang Jiang, Mingtian Zhong, Ning Ma
International Journal of Psychology June 2023 DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12893 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 41 |
| Population | Adult females |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Measures | Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), empathy-altruism task |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Altruism Cost Empathy Mindfulness training Prosocial |
| Key findings | Eight weeks of MBCT significantly increased overall mindfulness scores on the FFMQ but reduced participants' willingness to help in a low-cost situation. In the MBCT group, increases in the observing facet were positively correlated with willingness to help in a high-cost situation, and changes in the describing facet negatively predicted changes in empathy in the low-cost situation. |
Abstract
There have been rich debates about whether and how mindfulness alters prosocial behaviour. Nevertheless, few empirical studies have touched on how mindfulness training (MT) influences altruistic behaviour under high- and low-cost situations in a real-life scenario. The present study aimed to examine the effect of mindfulness training on altruistic willingness at different cost levels. A total of 41 females participated in our study and were randomly assigned to the MT and control groups. They completed the empathy-altruism task and Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) before and after an 8-week experimental intervention, during which the MT group attended the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programme, while the control group remained as usual. The MT group presented a significant increase in overall FFMQ scores after the 8 weeks of MBCT. However, their willingness to help declined in the low-cost situation at post-test. Further analysis revealed a positive correlation between the increase in the scores of the observing facet and willingness to help in the high-cost situation in the MT group. The changes in describing facet were a negative predictor of the change in empathy in the low-cost situation. Taken together, 8-week MBCT enhanced the level of mindfulness but reduced people's willingness to help in the low-cost situation.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Do contemplative practices make us more moral? Trends in Cognitive Sciences October 1, 2023
- The Mindful Scientist: How Meditation Could Support Ethical Scientific Practice Mindfulness September 2, 2025
- Whose Prosocial Intentions Are More Affected by Mindfulness, Young Adolescents or Young Adults? PsyCh Journal July 6, 2025
- A longitudinal study of loving-kindness compassion, mindfulness, and psychological well-being: Cross-cultural insights from Vietnamese and American employees. Acta Psychologica March 26, 2026
- The Ethical Dimensions of Mindfulness in Public Health Mindfulness March 1, 2025
Cites 15
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Mindfulness increases prosocial responses toward ostracized strangers through empathic concern. Journal of Experimental Psychology General 2018
- Mindfulness meditation reduces guilt and prosocial reparation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology December 23, 2021
- Mindfulness Meditation Activates Altruism Scientific Reports April 16, 2020
and 10 more in the library