Mindfulness Enhances Episodic Memory Performance: Evidence from a Multimethod Investigation.
Training in mindfulness, classically described as a receptive attentiveness to present events and experiences, has been shown to improve attention and working memory. Both are key to long-term memory formation, and the present three-study series used multiple methods to examine whether mindfulness would enhance episodic memory, a key form of long-term memory. In Study 1 (N = 143), a self-reported state of mindful attention predicted better recognition performance in the Remember-Know (R-K) paradigm. In Study 2 (N = 93), very brief training in a focused attention form of mindfulness also produced better recognition memory performance on the R-K task relative to a randomized, well-matched active control condition. Study 3 (N = 57) extended these findings by showing that relative to randomized active and inactive control conditions the effect of very brief mindfulness training generalized to free-recall memory performance. This study also found evidence for mediation of the mindfulness training-episodic memory relation by intrinsic motivation. These findings indicate that mindful attention can beneficially impact motivation and episodic memory, with potential implications for educational and occupational performance.
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA, 23284, United States of America.
Kirk Warren
0000-0001-8350-5888
KW
Brown
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA, 23284, United States of America.
Robert J
RJ
Goodman
Institute of Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Locked Bag 2002, Strathfield, NSW, Australia 2135.|Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, Meliora Hall, P.O. Box 270266, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, United States of America.
Richard M
RM
Ryan
Numata Center for Buddhist Studies, University of Hamburg, Alsterterrasse 1, 20354 Hamburg, Germany.|Kultur Indiens und Tibets, University of Hamburg, Alsterterrasse 1, 20354 Hamburg, Germany.
Bhikkhu
B
Anālayo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D057567:Memory, Long-Term; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D009042:Motivation; D055815:Young Adult