Jha, A. P., Stanley, E. A., & Baime, M. J. (2010). What does mindfulness training strengthen? Working memory capacity as a functional marker of training success. In R. Baer (Ed.), Assessing mindfulness and acceptance processes in clients: Illuminating the theory and practice of change (pp.207-221). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.  (full text pdf)

ABSTRACT:  There is growing evidence that mindfulness training (MT) improves both “cold” cognitive processes related to attention as well as “hot” processes tied to stress, well-being, and affect regulation. Yet, there is a dearth of discussion regarding the mechanisms of action by which MT might bolster control processes along both the cold and hot dimensions. In this chapter, we explore the theoretical position that MT cultivates cold and hot control processes by bolstering working memory capacity (WMC). WMC is the capacity to select, maintain, and manipulate behaviorally relevant information without getting distracted by behaviorally irrelevant information over very short time intervals. While very few studies have empirically connected MT with WMC, we argue that a long and rich literature on WMC and recent evidence from our research leads to the prediction that WMC is an important functional marker of training success during mindfulness training protocols.

<<< back to MMFT publications list