Trait, but not State Mindfulness Improves Resistance to Cognitive Biases
Tianhong Tim Qiu, Emily Nielsen, Emma Guimaraes, John Paul Minda
PsyArXiv February 19, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/na3pt (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Two-arm study: an online correlational arm plus a randomized in-lab experiment |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 582 |
| Population | Adults recruited online (N = 391) and in-lab participants (N = 191) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness induction |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Trait mindfulness was associated with reduced susceptibility to anchoring, sunk-cost, availability, and logical-fallacy biases. Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, a brief mindfulness induction did not affect cognitive bias susceptibility relative to a sham control. The authors suggest trait, but not state, mindfulness may improve resistance to cognitive biases. |
Abstract
The dual-process theory of thinking defines a heuristic-based System I which trades-off precision and accuracy in favour of speed. It is prone to consistent range of error modes formalized as cognitive biases. In contrast, System II is slower, requires deliberate engagement but can work through complex problems with lower error. Mindfulness research points to positive improvements in higher-cognition processes with specific emphasis on attention and an attitude of non-judgement; both are thought to underlie successful recruitment of System II. We hypothesized that individuals with higher mindfulness would be less susceptible to common cognitive biases. We evaluate two constructs of mindfulness. Trait mindfulness: a long-term dispositional mindfulness with can enhanced via deliberate training but otherwise remains consistent across an individual’s lifetime. State mindfulness: refers to a short-term experience of mindfulness which is subject to experimental manipulation. The present study consists of two-arms. The first arm (N = 391) was administered completely online and evaluates trait mindfulness. The second arm (N =191) was conducted in-lab and randomized participants into one of two conditions: mindfulness induction or a sham control condition. Participants from both arms underwent performance assessment on a battery of common cognitive bias tasks. We found that trait mindfulness was associated with reduced susceptibility to specific biases: anchoring, resistance to sunk costs, availability, and logical fallacies. Contrary to expectations, experimental manipulation of state mindfulness did not influence susceptibility to cognitive biases when compared to the sham control. These findings suggest trait, but not state mindfulness may improve resistance to cognitive biases.
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
Cites 13
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- The toronto mindfulness scale: Development and validation Journal of Clinical Psychology 2006
- The moderation of Mindfulness‐based stress reduction effects by trait mindfulness: Results from a randomized controlled trial Journal of Clinical Psychology December 22, 2010
- Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Implicit Age and Race Bias Social Psychological and Personality Science November 24, 2014
and 8 more in the library