Abstract
We investigated whether mindfulness training (MT) influences information processing in a working memory task with complex visual stimuli. Participants were tested before (T1) and after (T2) participation in an intensive one-month MT retreat, and their performance was compared with that of an age- and education-matched control group. Accuracy did not differ across groups at either time point. Response times were faster and significantly less variable in the MT versus the control group at T2. Since these results could be due to changes in mnemonic processes, speed-accuracy trade-off, or nondecisional factors (e.g.; motor execution), we used a mathematical modeling approach to disentangle these factors. The EZ-diffusion model (Wagenmakers, van der Maas, & Grasman, Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 14:(1), 3-22, 2007) suggested that MT leads to improved information quality and reduced response conservativeness, with no changes in nondecisional factors. The noisy exemplar model further suggested that the increase in information quality reflected a decrease in encoding noise and not an increase in forgetting. Thus, mathematical modeling may help clarify the mechanisms by which MT produces salutary effects on performance.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 344-353 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1 2011 |
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Keywords
- Attention
- Computational model
- Decision making
- Working memory
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Cite this
Investigating the impact of mindfulness meditation training on working memory : A mathematical modeling approach. / Van Vugt, Marieke K.; Jha, Amishi.
In: Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience, Vol. 11, No. 3, 01.09.2011, p. 344-353.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Investigating the impact of mindfulness meditation training on working memory
T2 - A mathematical modeling approach
AU - Van Vugt, Marieke K.
AU - Jha, Amishi
PY - 2011/9/1
Y1 - 2011/9/1
N2 - We investigated whether mindfulness training (MT) influences information processing in a working memory task with complex visual stimuli. Participants were tested before (T1) and after (T2) participation in an intensive one-month MT retreat, and their performance was compared with that of an age- and education-matched control group. Accuracy did not differ across groups at either time point. Response times were faster and significantly less variable in the MT versus the control group at T2. Since these results could be due to changes in mnemonic processes, speed-accuracy trade-off, or nondecisional factors (e.g.; motor execution), we used a mathematical modeling approach to disentangle these factors. The EZ-diffusion model (Wagenmakers, van der Maas, & Grasman, Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 14:(1), 3-22, 2007) suggested that MT leads to improved information quality and reduced response conservativeness, with no changes in nondecisional factors. The noisy exemplar model further suggested that the increase in information quality reflected a decrease in encoding noise and not an increase in forgetting. Thus, mathematical modeling may help clarify the mechanisms by which MT produces salutary effects on performance.
AB - We investigated whether mindfulness training (MT) influences information processing in a working memory task with complex visual stimuli. Participants were tested before (T1) and after (T2) participation in an intensive one-month MT retreat, and their performance was compared with that of an age- and education-matched control group. Accuracy did not differ across groups at either time point. Response times were faster and significantly less variable in the MT versus the control group at T2. Since these results could be due to changes in mnemonic processes, speed-accuracy trade-off, or nondecisional factors (e.g.; motor execution), we used a mathematical modeling approach to disentangle these factors. The EZ-diffusion model (Wagenmakers, van der Maas, & Grasman, Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 14:(1), 3-22, 2007) suggested that MT leads to improved information quality and reduced response conservativeness, with no changes in nondecisional factors. The noisy exemplar model further suggested that the increase in information quality reflected a decrease in encoding noise and not an increase in forgetting. Thus, mathematical modeling may help clarify the mechanisms by which MT produces salutary effects on performance.
KW - Attention
KW - Computational model
KW - Decision making
KW - Working memory
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80051628863&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3758/s13415-011-0048-8
DO - 10.3758/s13415-011-0048-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 21732031
AN - SCOPUS:80051628863
VL - 11
SP - 344
EP - 353
JO - Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience
JF - Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience
SN - 1530-7026
IS - 3
ER -