Research on mindfulness and changes of information processing

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26730077
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cognitive science
• Research Institution: Japan Institure of Lifelong Learning (2016); The University of Tokyo (2014-2015)
• Principal Investigator: Miyata Hiromitsu 一般財団法人日本生涯学習総合研究所, 研究開発課, 客員研究員 (80726696)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: マインドフルネス / 瞑想 / 情動 / 可塑性 / 読書

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study examined changes of psychological and physiological status induced by mindfulness, or contemplative practices. First, a questionnaire survey was conducted in order to uncover psychological status of trainees in contemplative reading (i.e., speed-reading). The results suggested desirable changes of psychological status associated with continued training. Also, for non-meditators habits of reading predicted more desirable psychological status. Second, autonomic nervous activities in an experienced yoga practitioner were measured during meditations with different themes. Different patterns in autonomic nervous activities were observed between meditation while focusing attention on one’s own breath and meditation while internally repeating a mantra of love, which suggested active switching of physiological status.

Free Research Field

認知科学