A recent preprint study set to be published in Psychological Science has found that interdependent individuals may increase their altruistic actions following mindfulness exercises, while those with an independent perception of themselves may see a decrease. Maximized by Prof. Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1994, the concept of mindfulness has been defined as paying purposeful attention to the present moment without judgment.
Research has demonstrated the benefits of mindfulness, such as managing stress, improving hope, reducing negative emotions, and boosting overall well-being. Some studies have suggested that it can also amplify prosocial behavior, or actions for the benefit of others. It appears that mindfulness can increase self-awareness, and depending on the individual’s initial “self-construal” or perception, derives its effects.
If a person perceives themselves as interdependent, they understand their identity in relation to their surroundings, friends, family, or social group. Conversely, those with an independent self-construal perceive their identity as detached from others. The researchers posit that mindfulness may augment these self-concepts, potentially making independent individuals less inclined towards prosocial behavior.
To investigate this theory, the authors conducted an experiment involving 366 people, assessing their level of independence or interdependence, acquainting them with two forms of meditation, and measuring their compassionate responses. In a subsequent online study involving 325 participants during the Covid-19 pandemic, the participants were requested to support a charity in different ways. The findings pointed towards self-construal as a determinant of prosocial behavior.
Dr. Michael Poulin, an associate professor of psychology at the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences and the paper’s lead author, states that mindfulness can potentially make a person self-absorbed. However, this doesn’t imply ineffectiveness of mindfulness in general. The conclusion suggests mindfulness isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a flexible tool that can be modified to optimize individual and societal outcomes.