Mindfulness & MBSR
A state that involves awareness of the present moment while viewing yourself or your experiences in a compassionate, non-judgmental way.
What two sources of data were collected in Hölzel's study?
Brain scans and questionnaires
What brain scanning machine was used in Hölzel's study?
MRI
Which Region of Interest showed increased grey matter concentration in the MBSR group?
Left hippocampus
TRUE or FALSE: There were 16 participants used in the experimental group.
True
Previous mindfulness studies compared people who already meditated with people who did not meditate. What type of design was commonly used?
Cross-sectional design.
Name the three main training exercises taught as part of MBSR.
Body scan, mindful yoga, and sitting meditation
What research method involving participants answering questions about themselves was used?
Self-report, more specifically a questionnaire.
What are the two general types of brain scans you learned?
Structural and functional.
For the whole-brain analysis: Was the amygdala one of the areas that showed an increase in grey matter concentration?
No
Which ethical guideline means participants must know enough about the research to voluntarily agree to participate?
Informed consent.
Does Hölzel provide stronger evidence for nature or nurture?
Nurture - because participants' experience/environment, specifically mindfulness training, was associated with changes in the brain.
Which MBSR exercise involves gently stretching the body, making slow movements, and using breathing exercises?
Mindful yoga
What was the independent variable in Hölzel's study?
Whether participants were exposed to the 8-week MBSR course or were part of the control group.
If researchers want to examine the physical structure of the brain rather than brain activity, which type of brain scan are they interested in?
Structural
Name two of the areas studied from the whole-brain analysis.
Any two: posterior cingulate cortex, left temporo-parietal junction, lateral cerebellum, cerebellar vermis/brainstem
Which ethical guideline was not applicable as a strength or weakness because it wasn't discussed in the study?
Deception
Explain how Hölzel's study supports BOTH sides of the nature vs. nurture debate.
Nature - everyone is born with a particular amount of grey matter.
Nurture - Participants experienced mindfulness training, an environmental experience, which increased their brain functioning, specifically grey matter concentration.
During this MBSR exercise, participants guide their attention through different parts of their body to become aware of their physical self as a whole. Name the exercise.
Body scan
The FFMQ produced numerical scores. What type of data does this make it?
Quantitative data
Hölzel's researchers were interested in changes in the concentration of what type of brain matter?
Grey matter
SORT IT OUT:
Left hippocampus or temporo-parietal junction
Which was identified through the Region of Interest analysis, and which was associated with the whole-brain analysis?
Left hippocampus = Region of Interest
Temporo-parietal junction = Whole-brain analysis
Participants could stop participating if they became uncomfortable. Which ethical guideline does this demonstrate?
Right to withdraw
APPLY IT: Someone wants to incorporate Hölzel's research into everyday life. Give one realistic behavior they could perform based on what was studied.
Practice mindfulness activities, such as mindful yoga, sitting meditation, or body scanning.
A participant focuses first on breathing and then becomes aware of sounds, sights, tastes, body sensations, thoughts, and emotions. Which MBSR exercise are they practicing?
Sitting meditation
Give one strength AND one weakness of collecting quantitative data in Hölzel's study.
Strength: Numerical data can be objectively compared and analyzed, such as questionnaire scores or measurements from brain scans.
Weakness: Numerical data may tell researchers that a change occurred without providing detailed explanations of participants' individual experiences.
Explain why MRI brain measurements are an example of quantitative data
They provide numerical measurements that researchers can objectively compare.
List all areas from the whole-brain analysis emphasized for this study.
posterior cingulate cortex, left temporo-parietal junction, lateral cerebellum, cerebellar vermis/brainstem
What are the requirements to take part in the study?
•Ages 25–55
•Physically and psychologically healthy
•Not taking medication
•Limited recent meditation experience
•None in last 6 mo., <4 in past 5 yrs, <10 in lifetime
•No MRI contraindications
•No metal or no claustrophobia
•Committed to all 8 classes and daily homework
CHALLENGE: A student says,"Hölzel proves that people's brains are determined entirely by biology." Explain why the findings can actually be used as evidence for nurture.
The brain changes were associated with an environmental experience, the MBSR mindfulness training. Therefore, the findings suggest that experiences can influence biological brain structures rather than biology being completely fixed.