Increasing cognitive-emotional flexibility with meditation and hypnosis: The cognitive neuroscience of de-automatization
Kieran C. R. Fox, Yoona Kang, Michael Lifshitz, Kalina Christoff
arXiv Preprint Archive May 11, 2016 via arXiv
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMeditation and hypnosis can change how thoughts flow automatically, potentially making thinking more flexible and less rigid. Three mechanisms are proposed: reducing the tendency for thoughts to chain together automatically; making thought chains more varied and less habitual; and creating new, intentionally chosen mental habits. Evidence from behavioral and cognitive neuroscience shows these practices influence internal cognition, with possible benefits for mental adaptability.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Meditation Hypnosis |
| Keywords | Meditation-mindfulness-contemplation Neuroscience-q-bio.nc-brain-science Cognitive-flexibility-neuroplasticity-mental-adaptability Hypnotherapy-hypnosis-trance-states |
| Key finding | Meditation and hypnosis may alter automatic thought patterns through three mechanisms: reducing associative chaining, diversifying thought content, and forming new mental habits. |
Abstract
Meditation and hypnosis both aim to facilitate cognitive-emotional flexibility, i.e., the "de-automatization" of thought and behavior. However, little research or theory has addressed how internal thought patterns might change after such interventions, even though alterations in the internal flow of consciousness may precede externally observable changes in behavior. This chapter outlines three mechanisms by which meditation or hypnosis might alter or reduce automatic associations and elaborations of spontaneous thought: by an overall reduction of the chaining of thoughts into an associative stream; by de-automatizing and diversifying the content of thought chains (i.e., increasing thought flexibility or variety); and, finally, by re-automatizing chains of thought along desired or valued paths (i.e., forming new, voluntarily chosen mental habits). The authors discuss behavioral and cognitive neuroscientific evidence demonstrating the influence of hypnosis and meditation on internal cognition and highlight the putative neurobiological basis, as well as potential benefits, of these forms of de-automatization.