Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
08:16
Combining Behavior and EEG to Study the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Episodic Memory
Published on: May 11, 2020
8.4K
Meditation-induced cognitive-control states regulate working memory task performance
Ke Ma1, Na Deng1, Bernhard Hommel2,3
1Key Laboratory of Personality and Cognition, Faculty of Psychological Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006)
|February 12, 2021
Summary
Focused-attention meditation (FAM) enhances working memory (WM) performance at moderate task demands. Open-monitoring meditation (OMM) showed no significant impact on WM, suggesting meditation
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Meditation Research
Background:
- Focused-attention meditation (FAM) and open-monitoring meditation (OMM) are hypothesized to influence metacontrol states, potentially affecting cognitive functions.
- Working memory (WM) involves monitoring and updating representations, crucial for complex cognitive tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of single-bout FAM and OMM on working memory performance under varying cognitive load.
- To determine if meditation type and working memory demand interact to influence cognitive control.
Main Methods:
- Participants underwent single-bout FAM, OMM, or a control condition before completing an N-back task with low (1-back), medium (2-back), and high (3-back) working memory demands.
- Experiment 1 included all demand levels, while Experiments 2 and 3 replicated specific conditions.
Main Results:
- FAM significantly improved WM performance in the 2-back (medium demand) condition in Experiment 1.
- FAM also enhanced WM performance in the 3-back (high demand) condition in Experiment 3, contrary to Experiment 1.
- OMM did not consistently affect WM performance across conditions and experiments.
Conclusions:
- Single-bout FAM can enhance working memory performance, but its effectiveness is contingent on the level of cognitive demand.
- The optimal cognitive load for FAM's beneficial effects on WM appears to be moderate, not excessively high or low.
- Meditation's impact on cognitive functions like working memory is nuanced and may depend on the specific meditation technique and task demands.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Working Memory
551
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...
551
01:19High-Level and Low-Level Awareness
505
Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...
505
01:06Altered States of Awareness
759
Altered states of consciousness represent significant deviations from one's normal mental state. These deviations can range from subtle changes in awareness to profound transformations in perception, thought processes, and sensory experiences. Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various factors, including drug use, meditation, hypnosis, illness, or even intense fatigue.
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
759
01:30Information Processing Approach
297
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
297
01:25Self-Regulation
111
Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
111
01:26Metacognition
412
Metacognition is a conscious process where individuals are aware of their cognitive and executive processes, such as planning before solving a problem or self-monitoring during reading. For instance, a writer may need help with composing a piece. The situation involves a writer who is working on a piece of writing, but while doing so, they realize that something is missing. They notice that their characters lack depth or details. This realization occurs because the writer is reflecting on their...
412