Hölzel et al (2011) mindfulness and brain scans

In Hölzel et al., what is the psychology being investigated?

• Mindfulness: awareness of who we are, where we are, and what we are doing; not becoming overwhelmed

• Localisation of function: how different parts of the brain perform specific functions (here, changing brain density or volume, which is linked to increased performance abilities)

• All of the above

What is the aim of the study in Hölzel et al.?

• to investigate the potential short-term effect of mindfulness programs (MBSR, etc.) on mood enhancement

• to test whether or not mindfulness training can increase performance on timed writing tests

• to identify objectively measurable changes in brain regions (grey matter) as a result of an eight-week MBSR programme

• all of the above

Hölzel et al's study is a ____ experiment.

• field

• laboratory

• kind of both?

Hölzel et al's study uses an ____ _____ design.

• independent measures

• repeated measures

• matched pairs

Which data collection method Hölzel et al's study use?

• MRI scans

• self-report

• observation

Which of the following criteria had to be met by participants in Hölzel et al.?

• be right-handed

• have an IQ of 100 or above

• be between 18 and 34 years old

• none of the above

Which of the following criteria had to be met by participants in Hozel et al.?

• not be taking any prescribed medication

• commitment to attend all eight MBSR lessons and do the daily homework

• have had no more than four meditation classes in the last five years and no meditation classes in the last six months

• all of the above

Which of the following criteria had to be met by participants in Hölzel et al.?

• ability to participate in an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain scan (so, no metal implants, claustrophobia, etc.)

• willingness to be interviewed multiple times per day for a series of several weeks

• ability to demonstrate mindfulness techniques upon demand (to show efficacy of training)

• all of the above

True or false? Participants in Hölzel et al. gave informed consent.

• True. All participants gave written consent, and the study was ethically approved by the Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

• False; participants were unaware of the study

What was the total number of participants in the Hölzel et al. study?

• 13,674 people participated in an online meditation class, but only 16 voluntarily participated in the MRI scans for the study; of these, only 5 completed the follow-up interviews, so the total is 5

• 13,674 participants volunteered to be MRI scanned for the study; 74 withdrew due to schedule constraints preventing involvement in the MBSR class

• Originally, 18 participants were part of the experimental group, but two withdrew due to MRI scan discomfort, leaving 16.

  There were 17/18 participants in the control group.
  So a total of 33 (35 originally).

• none of the above