Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Correlate with Psychosocial Development in Contemplative Practitioners
Omar Singleton1, Max Newlon1, Andres Fossas1
1Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114, USA.
Brain Sciences
|June 2, 2021
Summary
Contemplative practices like meditation and yoga are linked to higher ego development (maturity). This study found maturity correlates with brain structure in the posterior cingulate, suggesting a neural basis for advanced self-development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Jane Loevinger's theory of ego development (maturity) offers a lifespan framework for self-development.
- Neural correlates of ego development remain largely unexplored.
- Contemplative practices share traits with advanced ego development stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the neural underpinnings of maturity development.
- Examine differences in maturity development between contemplative practitioners and controls.
- Explore the relationship between contemplative practice, maturity development, and brain structure/function.
Main Methods:
- Utilized structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Assessed maturity development using the Maturity Assessment Profile (MAP).
- Analyzed behavioral data, resting-state functional connectivity, and cortical thickness.
Main Results:
- Contemplative practitioners exhibited significantly higher maturity development than matched controls.
- Maturity development positively correlated with cortical thickness in the posterior cingulate.
- Identified a key brain network (PCC, dmPFC, TPJ, IFC) associated with maturity development.
Conclusions:
- Contemplative practices are associated with enhanced ego/maturity development.
- Cortical thickness in the posterior cingulate is a neural correlate of maturity development.
- A specific brain network supports advanced self-referential and social cognitive processes linked to maturity.
Keywords:
default mode networkego developmentfunctional connectivitymaturitymeditationposterior cingulate cortexresting stateselfMore Related Videos
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