“Mind the Trap”: Mindfulness Practice Reduces Cognitive Rigidity
A Chiesa, A Chiesa, A Chiesa, A Heeren, A Heeren, A Lutz, A Moore, A Wells, A Zgierska, AH Zohar, AJ Clark, AJ Whitmer, AS Luchins, B Nevo, CM Steele, CM Steele, D Coleman, DJ Miklowitz, EL Cowen, EL Garland, EN Shearin, ER Watkins, EV Sullivan, F Faul, F Zeidan, H Wenk-Sormaz, H Wenk-Sormaz, HS Hodgins, J Cangemi, J Everett, J Kabat-Zinn, J Kabat-Zinn, J Piet, J Schwartz, Jonathan Greenberg, Keren Reiner, L Rapgay, L Roemer, L Zylowska, Leonardo Fontenelle, LJ Seidman, M Fischer, M Levenson, M Rokeach, MC Williams, ME Harrer, MM Linehan, MT Miró, N Meiran, N Meiran, Nachshon Meiran, ND Anderson, NJ Cepeda, P Beljan, P Grossman, P Schultz, P Schultz, R Chambers, R Chambers, R Gross-Isseroff, R Wanden-Berghe, S Nolen-Hoeksema, SC Hayes, SR Bishop, T Kingston, TB Kashdan, TE Ellis, TS Nelson, W Ramel, ZV Segal
PLOS ONE May 15, 2012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036206 via CORE
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractTwo experiments tested whether mindfulness practice reduces cognitive rigidity using a water jar task where initial problems required a complex formula, but later problems also allowed a simpler solution. Experienced meditators showed significantly less persistence with the complex formula compared to non-meditators in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, non-meditators who completed an eight-session mindfulness program also had lower rigidity scores than a waiting list group. The authors conclude that mindfulness meditation reduces the tendency to be blinded by past experience, promoting more adaptive and flexible problem-solving.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Experienced mindfulness meditators and non-meditators |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Duration | Eight meeting mindfulness program |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness practice Meditators Mindfulness program Cognitive flexibility |
| Citations | 217 |
| Key finding | Mindfulness meditation reduces cognitive rigidity by decreasing the tendency to be blinded by past experience. |
Abstract
Two experiments examined the relation between mindfulness practice and cognitive rigidity by using a variation of the Einstellung water jar task. Participants were required to use three hypothetical jars to obtain a specific amount of water. Initial problems were solvable by the same complex formula, but in later problems (“critical” or “trap” problems) solving was possible by an additional much simpler formula. A rigidity score was compiled through perseverance of the complex formula. In Experiment 1, experienced mindfulness meditators received significantly lower rigidity scores than non-meditators who had registered for their first meditation retreat. Similar results were obtained in randomized controlled Experiment 2 comparing non-meditators who underwent an eight meeting mindfulness program with a waiting list group. The authors conclude that mindfulness meditation reduces cognitive rigidity via the tendency to be “blinded” by experience. Results are discussed in light of the benefits of mindfulness practice regarding a reduced tendency to overlook novel and adaptive ways of responding due to past experience, both in and out of the clinical setting