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Holzel Flashcards

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1
Q

What is mindfulness?

A

A practice of becoming more aware of one’s current experiences, including thoughts, emotions, and sensations, to enhance self-awareness and manage stress effectively.

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2
Q

What area of the brain was studied in this research?

A

The hippocampus, responsible for memory, spatial awareness, and emotional regulation.

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3
Q

What is neuroplasticity?

A

The brain’s ability to form new neurons and connections, which can be influenced by mindfulness.

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4
Q

How was brain localization studied in the past?

A

Through autopsy and brain surgery.

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5
Q

What technology is used today to study brain structure and function?

A

Brain scanning techniques like MRI and EEG.

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6
Q

What does MRI detect?

A

Structural changes in grey matter, enabling detailed studies of learning and mindfulness effects on the brain.

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7
Q

What was the aim of Hölzel et al.’s study?

A

To investigate changes in grey matter concentration before and after an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course.

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8
Q

What problem did this study aim to overcome?

A

Issues with earlier cross-sectional studies that could not confirm whether observed differences were due to mindfulness or pre-existing factors.

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9
Q

What type of study was conducted?

A

A longitudinal study comparing pre- and post-MBSR intervention results.

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10
Q

What was the independent variable (IV)?

A

Exposure to the 8-week MBSR intervention.

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11
Q

What was the dependent variable (DV)?

A

Changes in grey matter concentration and mindfulness questionnaire scores.

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12
Q

What did the MBSR intervention involve?

A

Weekly 2.5-hour sessions for 8 weeks.

A full-day session in week 6.

Exercises like body scans, mindful yoga, and sitting meditation.

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13
Q

How did participants practice mindfulness outside sessions?

A

Using a 45-minute daily guided recording and practicing mindfulness in daily activities like eating or walking.

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14
Q

Who were the participants?

A

16 experimental participants (mean age: 38 years, diverse ethnicities).

17 control participants (mean age: 39 years).

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15
Q

What were the criteria for participation?

A

No metal in the body (safe for MRI).

Limited prior meditation experience.

Self-reported physical and mental health.

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16
Q

What assessments were done?

A

MRI scans (pre and post-intervention).

Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) measuring:
Observing
Describing
Acting with awareness
Non-judging
Non-reactivity.

17
Q

How was the MRI data analyzed?

A

Region of Interest (RoI): Focused on specific areas (e.g., hippocampus).

Whole Brain Analysis: Explored other potential changes.

18
Q

What changes were found in the experimental group?

A

Increased grey matter concentration in:
Left hippocampus.
Posterior cingulate cortex (PCC).
Left temporo-parietal junction (TPJ).
Cerebellum.

19
Q

Were these changes observed in the control group?

A

No significant changes were found in the control group.

20
Q

What were the changes in mindfulness scores?

A

Significant increases in:
Acting with awareness.
Observing.
Non-judgement.

21
Q

What do the findings suggest about mindfulness?

A

Mindfulness practice can cause structural changes in brain regions involved in:
Learning and memory (hippocampus).
Emotional regulation and self-referential processing (PCC, TPJ).

22
Q

How might these changes contribute to mindfulness?

A

By enhancing the ability to recall the past, think about the future, and adopt alternate perspectives.

23
Q

What are the weaknesses of the study?

A

Low ecological validity (artificial setting of MRI scans).

No correlation between brain changes and practice amount.

Ethical issue with control group waiting for help.

24
Q

What does Hölzel et al.’s study contribute to psychology?

A

Evidence that mindfulness meditation can lead to structural brain changes in areas linked to memory, emotion, and self-referential processing.

psychology (11 decks)

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