Open AccessExploring the influence of a low‐dose mindfulness induction on performance and persistence in a challenging cognitive task
Author(s) -
Imtiaz Faizan,
Ji LiJun,
VaughanJohnston Thomas
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of theoretical social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2475-0387
DOI - 10.1002/jts5.32
Subject(s) - mindfulness , psychology , mood , persistence (discontinuity) , cognition , task (project management) , developmental psychology , arousal , attentional control , clinical psychology , cognitive psychology , social psychology , psychiatry , geotechnical engineering , engineering , management , economics
Emerging research is beginning to highlight the influence of mindfulness on cognitive performance. However, researchers have yet to examine how mindfulness impacts cognition after people experience adversity or challenge within a task. The present study aims to build upon the existing theoretical knowledge base by investigating how a low‐dose mindfulness induction influences engagement, mood, performance, and persistence on a challenging cognitive task. It was hypothesized that compared to a wait‐list control group, mindful individuals would experience greater engagement, more adaptive mood, and enhanced performance on the difficult cognitive task. Results indicated that although the mindfulness and wait‐list control groups did not differ in how strenuous (difficult, stressful) they found the task, the mindfulness group reported significantly greater levels of engagement. Moreover, the mindfulness group reported higher levels of low‐arousal positive mood (e.g., calmness, tranquility) compared to the control group following the task. After exposure to the adversity component of the task, mindful individuals also responded with increased performance and persistence compared to the control group on a follow‐up task. Practical applications of these findings are discussed.