Does mindfulness improve intergroup bias, internalized bias, and anti-bias outcomes? A meta-analysis of the evidence and agenda for future research

Abstract

This study integrates the conceptual and empirical research on mindfulness and intergroup bias to guide a meta-analysis that examines associations between mindfulness and (a) different manifestations of bias, e.g., implicit and explicit attitudes, affect, and behavior, directed towards (b) different bias targets, e.g., outgroup or ingroup (internalized bias), by (c) intergroup orientation, e.g., towards bias or anti-bias. Of 70 independent samples, 42 (178 effect sizes; N = 3,229) were studies of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and 30 (150 effect sizes; N = 6,002) were correlational studies. Unconditional mixed-effects structural equation models showed a large, negative effect of mindfulness on bias for intervention (d = -0.56, CI 95% [-0.72, -0.40]) and correlational (r = -0.17 [-0.27, -0.03]) studies. Effects were comparable for intergroup bias and internalized bias; the largest effects were for behavioral outcomes. We conclude by identifying gaps in the evidence base and outline an agenda for future research.

Mindful-Gratitude Practice Reduces Prejudice at High Levels of Collective Narcissism

“…We assumed an alpha level of .05 with power of .80, and we carried out the calculations via G*Power 3.1 (Faul et al, 2009). The required sample size was 98, typical for studies using the same methodology (Berry et al, 2022; Chang et al, 2023; Oyler et al, 2022). We exceeded this N to account for attrition and assure a high-powered study.…”

“…Mindfulness , the ability to focus on the present experience in a nonjudgmental way (Kabat-Zinn 2003), is negatively associated with prejudice (Chang et al, 2023; Oyler et al, 2022). Mindfulness can be trained, with positive consequences for prejudice reduction across various types of mindfulness-based interventions and prejudice or intergroup bias (Berry et al, 2020, 2022; Chang et al, 2023; Oyler et al, 2022).…”

“…Mindfulness , the ability to focus on the present experience in a nonjudgmental way (Kabat-Zinn 2003), is negatively associated with prejudice (Chang et al, 2023; Oyler et al, 2022). Mindfulness can be trained, with positive consequences for prejudice reduction across various types of mindfulness-based interventions and prejudice or intergroup bias (Berry et al, 2020, 2022; Chang et al, 2023; Oyler et al, 2022). For example, 6 weeks of daily, recording-guided loving-kindness meditation supported by weekly classes decreased White participants’ implicit prejudice against homeless and Black persons in the United States (Kang et al, 2014).…”

Does Mindfulness Improve Intergroup Bias, Internalized Bias, and Anti-Bias Outcomes?: A Meta-Analysis of the Evidence and Agenda for Future Research

“…Procedures, including definitions of key constructs, search terms and strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, data extraction procedures, risk of bias assessment, and analytic plan, were preregistered with PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews after piloting the search criteria (Chang, Sahdra, Donald, Whitney, & Miao, 2018). The datafile, codebook, and script used for analyses are available on the Open Science Framework Online Repository at https://osf.io/w9yxu/?view_only=27ce060ec0774c189b49b9e93a1f49fc.…”

Mindful discipline: A pilot study exploring mindfulness and the reduction of punitive discipline for Black male students.

“…Mindfulness offers a novel, in-the-moment strategy that stands apart from prior antibias interventions as it aims to build skills in managing implicit associations and reactions instead of trying to directly alter them (Chang et al, 2022), which research suggests does not work (Forscher et al, 2019; Lai et al, 2014). While in its infancy, a growing literature suggests a significant impact of mindfulness on bias (Chang et al, 2022).…”