Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Mindfulness-based interventions are increasingly being used to reduce aggressive behavior; however, the mechanisms through which increases in mindfulness are associated with reductions in aggression are not well understood.Based on research suggesting that mindfulness-induced alterations to inhibitory control might be a potential mechanism for this effect, the present study evaluated whether a single, brief mindfulness induction would have immediate, state-based effects on aggressive behavior and whether, if present, such effects would be partially explained by mindfulness-induced changes to inhibitory control.A focused breathing exercise was used to induce mindfulness in a sample of aggressive, mindfulness-naïve, male undergraduates whose performances on the Stroop task and Taylor Aggression Paradigm were then compared to that of a control group (N = 65).No significant between-groups differences in TAP performance or Stroop interference scores were detected, and response inhibition was not a significant predictor of aggressive behavior.Results suggest that the previously identified effects of mindfulness on inhibitory control and aggressive behavior may not be present after a single mindfulness induction.Problems with operationalizing and assessing mindfulness are discussed.
Author: Thompson, Kristen
Institution: Northern Illinois University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Eli Lilly and Company
OpenAlex ID: W2600077724