The Science of Meditation

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Questions and Answers

What did a meta-analysis of 78 fMRI studies of meditation find?

Dissociable patterns of activation and deactivation for common styles of meditation (correct)

Inconclusive patterns of activation and deactivation for common styles of meditation

Consistent patterns of activation and deactivation for common styles of meditation

No significant patterns of activation and deactivation for common styles of meditation

What is one of the styles of meditation mentioned in the text?

Mindful walking

Positive visualization

Focused awareness (correct)

Relaxed breathing

What is associated with mindfulness/meditation according to the text?

Modulation of processing of information about the self (correct)

Complete detachment from self

Enhanced focus on external factors

Decreased awareness of mind-body connection

What is one of the effects of mindfulness/meditation mentioned in the text?

Increased awareness of mind-body connection Signup and view all the answers

What did the research by Carol Dweck involving fifth graders reveal?

Praising for intelligence led to a preference for class rank comparison Signup and view all the answers

What did the abbreviated exercise for identifying strengths involve?

Reflecting on past successes and identifying strengths, values, and sources of support Signup and view all the answers

What did the research by Martin Seligman indicate about using signature strengths of character?

Using signature strengths for a week made people happier up to six months later Signup and view all the answers

What did the study on the neural basis of self-esteem identify?

The medial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex play a role in self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

According to the meditation traditions, what is the relationship between the mind and body?

Our body is in our mind Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction made in psychological research regarding self-esteem?

True self-esteem involves self-acceptance, authenticity, and self-efficacy Signup and view all the answers

What did the Implicit Attitudes Test (IAT) reveal about those with narcissistic personality disorder?

Normal controls are more likely to associate positive adjectives with themselves on the IAT Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of social media on self-esteem, according to research?

Use of social networking sites lowers self-esteem and increases depressive symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between internal and external locus of control?

Internal locus of control perceives that one controls their own fate, while external locus of control perceives that outside forces determine one's fate. Signup and view all the answers

What did the research by Ng, Sorensen & Eby (2006) find about individuals with internal locus of control?

They achieve more in school and work, act more independently, enjoy better health, and feel less depressed. Signup and view all the answers

What did the study by Yu & Fan (2014) suggest about self-esteem and depression?

Self-esteem serves as a mediating factor in the negative correlation between internal locus of control and depression. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does becoming totally dependent on validation and approval from the outside world have on self-esteem and mental health?

It has a negative impact on self-esteem and mental health. Signup and view all the answers

Which meditation practice is associated with increased insula volume and activity?

Mindfulness meditation Signup and view all the answers

What does lovingkindness meditation correlate with?

Increased neural synchrony Signup and view all the answers

Which brain region is affected by mantra practice?

Deactivates the insula Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of standard mindfulness instructions?

Directions to relax the sense of self Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Effects of Different Meditation Practices on Body Awareness and Self-Integration

Different meditation practices lead to changes in the activity of the insula, a brain region important in body awareness
Mindfulness meditation, lovingkindness meditation, and calm-abiding practice activate the insula, while mantra practice deactivates it
Mindfulness meditation emphasizes integration of body-emotion-mind and is associated with increased insula volume and activity
Mindfulness therapy encourages mindful attention to physical, emotional, and cognitive components, promoting integration and activating similar circuits as in childhood
Lovingkindness meditation is correlated with increased neural synchrony, suggesting increased self-integration
Instructions for mantra practice involve letting go of the ordinary sense of self
Meditation practices seem to either enhance body awareness and integration or promote complete letting go of the sense of self
Meditation is associated with decreased activity in brain areas important in self-referential processing and rumination
Standard mindfulness instructions include directions to relax the sense of self and let go of the sense of a separate self
Traditional mindfulness teachings state that letting go of the sense of “I” is the supreme happiness
Techniques for letting go of the self include letting go of facial contractions and contrived movements
Meditation retreats in natural settings help reduce the self to a reasonable size and facilitate experiences of “no self”

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Description

Explore the impact of various meditation practices on body awareness and self-integration with this quiz. Discover how mindfulness, lovingkindness, calm-abiding, and mantra meditation affect the brain's insula activity and self-referential processing. Delve into the connection between meditation and neural synchrony, letting go of the sense of self, and reducing rumination.