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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this information.
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Related Experiment Video

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Combining Behavior and EEG to Study the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Episodic Memory
08:16

Combining Behavior and EEG to Study the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Episodic Memory

Published on: May 11, 2020

Mindfulness training improves working memory capacity and GRE performance while reducing mind wandering.

Michael D Mrazek1, Michael S Franklin, Dawa Tarchin Phillips

  • 1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. mrazek@psych.ucsb.edu

Psychological Science
|March 30, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mindfulness training enhances cognitive performance by reducing mind wandering. This 2-week course improved GRE scores and working memory, benefiting those easily distracted.

Keywords:
attentioncognitive abilitymemorymind wanderingmindfulnessreadingreading comprehensionworking memory capacity

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Last Updated: May 12, 2026

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Published on: May 11, 2020

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Mindfulness Studies

Background:

  • Task attention is crucial for performance across various domains.
  • Mind wandering can impair cognitive functions.
  • Mindfulness training is a potential intervention to improve focus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if a 2-week mindfulness training course reduces mind wandering.
  • To determine if mindfulness training enhances cognitive performance.
  • To explore the mediating role of reduced mind wandering in performance improvements.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial was conducted.
  • Participants underwent a 2-week mindfulness training program.
  • Cognitive performance was assessed using GRE reading comprehension and working memory capacity measures.

Main Results:

  • Mindfulness training led to significant improvements in GRE scores and working memory capacity.
  • The training effectively reduced the frequency of distracting thoughts during cognitive tasks.
  • Performance gains were mediated by decreased mind wandering, particularly in participants prone to distraction.

Conclusions:

  • Cultivating mindfulness is an effective and efficient method for enhancing cognitive function.
  • Mindfulness training offers broad benefits for attention and task performance.
  • Reduced mind wandering is a key mechanism through which mindfulness improves cognition.