Summary: The Effects Of Mindfulness Meditation On Working Memory

The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on the Working Memory in College Students Previous research studies have exhibited evidence towards the relationship between meditation and improved academic scores (Foris, 2005). With meditation becoming a widely popular topic, especially for its benefits in the reduction of stress and anxiety, it is questioned whether the use of proper mindfulness meditation has positive effects on the working memory and if so, do those effects differentiate between males and females. The use of meditation not only involves awareness of breathing patterns and the self, but also branches out into multiple practices, including the body scan, walking meditation, and loving-kindness meditation. “Mindfulness” in itself can be portrayed on many levels, including mindfulness as a state, mindfulness as a trait, and as used here; mindfulness as a training or practice (Bueno, Kozasa, Aparecida da Silva, Alves, Rodrigues Louza, Pompeia, 2014). Past studies have shown that there is a difference present in the working memory between males and females including the difference in the part of the brain being activated when completing a difficult task (Speck, Ernst, Braun, Koch, & Miller; 2000). The ability to report results supporting the benefits and differences of mindful meditation in males’ and females’ working memory could lead to further research towards the most helpful meditation based on gender. Several studies (Quach, Jastrowski Mano, & Alexander, 2015; Bueno, et al., 2014; …show more content…
The support towards the effectiveness of meditation on academic performance considering working memory and concentration are valuable variables in such an instance. Furthering such understanding, however, played an important role in narrowing down possibilities within the difference between males and females when it comes to the effectiveness of