Reducing Stereotyping Through Mindfulness: Effects on Automatic Stereotype-Activated Behaviors

Mindful learning can promote connectedness to nature: Implicit and explicit evidence

“…Although some researchers have tried to measure implicit changes with explicit indicators, this has been met with skepticism. In one study (Djikic et al, 2008), where mindfulness was experimentally induced, it was suggested to have reduced automatic stereotypes of the elderly by measuring participants' walking speed. However, the use of walking speed as an indicator of implicit stereotypes is debatable, in part because walking speed reflects behavioral differences rather than differences in attitude.…”

“…Substantial research has indicated that mindful learning may reduce stigma or prejudice, which is regarded as a manifestation of mindfulness. For example, Langer and colleagues found that mindful learning can reduce biases against disabled children (Langer et al, 1985) and older people (Djikic et al, 2008) by encouraging multi-standard categorization (by classifying specific photos using different standards). Geng and colleagues obtained similar results for perceptions of drug abusers (Geng & Zhao, 2013) and overweight individuals (Geng & Tang, 2013).…”

“…It has been reported that the LMS exhibits acceptable reliability (i.e., Cronbach's alphas are 0.83-0.85) and robust validity through correlations with theoretically relevant individual-difference constructs (i.e., the LMS is correlated with the tendency to entertain multiple perspectives, r = 0.57; Bodner & Langer, 2001). In the present study, similar to Langer and her colleagues (Djikic, Langer, & Stapleton, 2008), the LMS was used as a measure of state mindfulness. Cronbach's alpha for the LMS was 0.842.…”

Mind the Gap in Mindfulness Research: A Comparative Account of the Leading Schools of Thought

“…Langer performed several experimental studies in the course of developing her questionnaire all showing elevations in mindfulness following interventions (Langer, 2004;Burpee & Langer, 2005;Djikic et al, 2008). Pirson et al (2012) report that the LMS14 was found to be positively correlated with psychological wellbeing, satisfaction with life, self-esteem, positive relationships, positive affect, humour, creativity, engagement at work, and physical health.…”

“…However, the studies reviewed here seem to display some limitations which raise questions as to their validity or reliability. The first is the interventions themselvesseveral of these are not clearly described and have no protocol that could be followed by researchers who may wish to replicate the study (see Anglin et al, 2008;Delizonna, Ryan & Langer, 2009;Crum & Langer, 2007;Djikic et al, 2008;Langer et al, 1985;2010).…”