Mindfulness and cognitive control: are they really related?
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1
Universidad de Granada, Spain
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2
Liverpool John Moores university, United Kingdom
Interests in study the underlying mechanisms of Mindfulness have increase in recent years. Mindfulness is understood as the ability to maintain non-judgemental awareness of present experiences, which is related to cognitive control. In this study we investigate the relation between the mechanisms of conflict resolution and error monitoring and mindfulness. Participants performed a Flanker task, while we register the EEG. Reaction times, accuracy of response and the ERP component related to the conflict resolution (N2) and error monitoring (ERN) where analyzed. In Flanker task the N2 component is considered to reflect conflict resolution processes, while the ERN has been linked Error Monitoring. Related to Stimuli-Locked ERP, we found a negative fronto-central component which highest amplitude was found around 350ms after stimulus onset (N2). This negativity was significantly larger for incongruent than for congruent. Regarding the Response-Locked ERP, we found a negative deflection peaking around 50ms after response (ERN), which was significantly larger for incorrect than correct answers. These effects were correlated with the level of mindfulness assessed with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). We found a negative correlation between mindfulness level and the amplitude of the N2, while a positive correlation with the amplitude of the ERN was found. Results indicate that high levels of mindfulness are linked to more efficient cognitive control hence fewer resources are needed for conflict resolution. Results also suggest that the higher levels of mindfulness enhance behavioural and mental monitoring. These cognitive control processes have been related to more efficient emotional regulation, and can help us to understand the beneficial effect of mindfulnes Funding: Supported by Founding BES-2009-017932 of the Program of Formación de Personal Investigador (FPI) of the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain.
Keywords:
cognitive control,
EEG
Conference:
XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI), Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 25 Sep - 29 Sep, 2011.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Poster Sessions: Performance Monitoring and Cognitive Control
Citation:
Pozuelos-López
J,
Mead
B,
Rueda
M and
Mallinowski
P
(2011). Mindfulness and cognitive control: are they really related?.
Conference Abstract:
XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI).
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2011.207.00260
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Received:
21 Nov 2011;
Published Online:
28 Nov 2011.
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Correspondence:
Dr. Joan Paul Pozuelos-López, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain, jpoll@ugr.es