Minding Your Own Business? Mindfulness Decreases Prosocial Behavior for People With Independent Self-Construals. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poulin, Michael J.; Ministero, Lauren M.; Gabriel, Shira; Morrison, C. Dale; Naidu, Esha
• Is Part Of: Psychological science. Volume 32:Number 11(2021)
• Page Start: 1699
• Page End: 1708
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: mindfulness -- self-construal -- meditation -- prosocial behavior -- compassion -- open data; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1177/09567976211015184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-7976

Abstract

Mindfulness appears to promote individual well-being, but its interpersonal effects are less clear. Two studies in adult populations tested whether the effects of mindfulness on prosocial behavior differ according to individuals' self-construals. In Study 1 ( N = 366), a brief mindfulness induction, compared with a meditation control condition, led to decreased prosocial behavior among people with relatively independent self-construals but had the opposite effect among those with relatively interdependent self-construals. In Study 2 ( N = 325), a mindfulness induction led to decreased prosocial behavior among people primed with independence but had the opposite effect among those primed with interdependence. The effects of mindfulness on prosocial behavior appear to depend on individuals' broader social goals. This may have implications for the increasing popularity of mindfulness training around the world.