Calm and smart? A selective review of meditation effects on decision making.
Sai Sun, Ziqing Yao, Jaixin Wei, Rongjun Yu
Frontiers in Psychology July 24, 2015 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01059 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Decision making Empathy Neuroimaging Prosocial behavior |
| Key findings | The authors argue that meditation modulates brain activity related to cognitive control, emotion regulation, and empathy, and is associated with improved social and non-social economic decision making. They propose an integrative model in which these three processes mediate meditation's effects on decision making, while noting that more evidence is needed to test the model. |
Abstract
Over the past two decades, there has been a growing interest in the use of meditation to improve cognitive performance, emotional balance, and well-being. As a consequence, research into the psychological effects and neural mechanisms of meditation has been accumulating. Whether and how meditation affects decision making is not yet clear. Here, we review evidence from behavioral and neuroimaging studies and summarize the effects of meditation on social and non-social economic decision making. Research suggests that meditation modulates brain activities associated with cognitive control, emotion regulation and empathy, and leads to improved non-social and social decision making. Accordingly, we propose an integrative model in which cognitive control, emotional regulation, and empathic concern mediate the effects of meditation on decision making. This model provides insights into the mechanisms by which meditation affects the decision making process. More evidence is needed to test our explanatory model and to explore the function of specific brain areas and their interactive effects on decision making during meditation training.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Editorial: Neuroimaging and Neuropsychology of Meditation States Frontiers in Psychology November 19, 2015
- Mindfulness, cognition, and long-term meditators: Toward a science of advanced meditation. Imaging Neuroscience 2025
- Adherence, Engagement and Participant Experiences in a Workplace Rajyoga Meditation Programme: Findings from an Eight-Week Intervention Study Among Corporate Executives International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering Management & Applied Science August 4, 2026
- Efficacy of Yoga-meditation in Managing Mental Stress of Generation Z Pupils International Research Journal of Ayurveda & Yoga January 31, 2024
- Positive-Negative Affectivity and Decision Making Among Mindfulness Meditators and Non-Meditators Mind and Society July 20, 2023
and 5 more in the library
Cites 36
- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- Neural correlates of attentional expertise in long-term meditation practitioners Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 28, 2007
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise PLoS One March 25, 2008
and 31 more in the library