Showing papers in "Psychological Inquiry in 2007"
TL;DR: The role of mindfulness in curtailing negative functioning and enhancing positive outcomes in several important life domains, including mental health, physical health, behavioral regulation, and interpersonal relationships is discussed in this paper.
Abstract: Interest in mindfulness and its enhancement has burgeoned in recent years. In this article, we discuss in detail the nature of mindfulness and its relation to other, established theories of attention and awareness in day-to-day life. We then examine theory and evidence for the role of mindfulness in curtailing negative functioning and enhancing positive outcomes in several important life domains, including mental health, physical health, behavioral regulation, and interpersonal relationships. The processes through which mindfulness is theorized to have its beneficial effects are then discussed, along with proposed directions for theoretical development and empirical research.
2,796 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conceptualize the sense of attachment security as an inner resource and present theory and research on the broaden and build cycle generated by the actual or symbolic encounter with external or internalized loving and caring relationship partners.
Abstract: In this article, we conceptualize the sense of attachment security as an inner resource and present theory and research on the broaden and build cycle of attachment security generated by the actual or symbolic encounter with external or internalized loving and caring relationship partners. We also propose that the body of research stimulated by attachment theory offers productive hints about interventions that might increase positive experiences and prosocial behavior by bolstering a person's sense of security. On this basis, we review recent experimental studies showing how interventions designed to increase attachment security have beneficial effects on mental health, prosocial behavior, and intergroup relations, and discuss unaddressed issues concerning the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of these interventions, the temporal course of these effects, and their interaction with countervailing forces.
661 citations
TL;DR: This article explored the costs of American corporate capitalism and its focus on self-interest, competition, hierarchical wage labor, and strong desire for financial profit and economic growth, and found that these costs often conflict with human pursuits such as caring about the broader world, having close relationships with others, and, for many people, feeling worthy and free.
Abstract: Psychology rarely examines the effects of economic systems on people's lives. In this target article, we set out to explore some of the costs of American corporate capitalism and its focus on self-interest, competition, hierarchical wage labor, and strong desires for financial profit and economic growth. Specifically, we apply recent cross-cultural research on goal and value systems (Schwartz, 1996; Grouzet et al. 2006), as well as a variety of other types of evidence, to demonstrate how the aims and practices that typify American corporate capitalism often conflict with pursuits such as caring about the broader world, having close relationships with others, and, for many people, feeling worthy and free. We hope that by bringing to light the value and goal conflicts inherent in this economic system, psychologists might begin to systematically investigate this pervasive yet paradoxically ignored feature of contemporary culture.
383 citations
TL;DR: Mindfulness is essentially about waking up to what the present moment offers as mentioned in this paper. But it sounds easy, but as most of us know, waking up can be difficult and it can be...
Abstract: Every moment a beginning, every moment an end. -Salzman (2000) Mindfulness is essentially about waking up to what the present moment offers. It sounds easy, but as most of us know, waking up can be...
216 citations
TL;DR: Some of the key ideas in mindfulness-based psychotherapy and research are radically different from our cultural (and perhaps human) assump... as discussed by the authors The matters discussed in the target article are important.
Abstract: The matters discussed in the target article are important. Some of the key ideas in mindfulness based psychotherapy and research are radically different from our cultural (and perhaps human) assump...
181 citations
TL;DR: Brown, Ryan, and Creswell as mentioned in this paper reviewed the research literature on mindfulness and found that mindfulness is an important concept for bridging classical Buddhist writin... and they were pleased to see Brown and Ryan's excellent review.
Abstract: We are pleased to see Brown, Ryan, and Creswell's (this issue) excellent review of the research literature on mindfulness. Mindfulness is an important concept for bridging classical Buddhist writin...
167 citations
TL;DR: Brown, Ryan, and Creswell as mentioned in this paper reviewed a wide range of disorders, problems, disorders, and populations for which the literature has been reviewed. But the most striking features of the rapidly growing literature reviewed by Brown, Ryan and CRESwell (2007, this issue) is the wide range
Abstract: One of the most striking features of the rapidly growing literature reviewed by Brown, Ryan, and Creswell (2007, this issue) is the wide range of problems, disorders, and populations for which the ...
131 citations
TL;DR: Brown, Ryan, and Creswell as discussed by the authors summarize the recent surge in mindfulness research and practices, and propose methods for developing a further understanding of the mindfulness phenomeno-mood.
Abstract: Brown, Ryan, and Creswell (this issue) summarize the recent surge in mindfulness research and practices, and they propose methods for developing a further understanding of the mindfulness phenomeno...
122 citations
TL;DR: Kasser, Cohen, Kanner, and Ryan as discussed by the authors examine presumed psychological costs of American Corporate Capitalism and argue persuasively that the institutions and ideologies of ACC foster a set of val...
Abstract: Kasser, Cohen, Kanner, and Ryan (2007) examine presumed psychological costs of American Corporate Capitalism. They argue persuasively that the institutions and ideologies of ACC foster a set of val...
110 citations
TL;DR: Brown, Ryan, and Creswell have provided an exceptional overview of theory and research on mindfulness, and we find ourselves in basic agreement with most of their points as discussed by the authors, and we will devote our a...
Abstract: Brown, Ryan, and Creswell have provided an exceptional overview of theory and research on mindfulness, and we find ourselves in basic agreement with most of their points. Thus, we will devote our a...
101 citations
TL;DR: Mikulincer and Shaver as mentioned in this paper argue that attachment theory belongs under the umbrella of positive psychology, and moreover that attachment can supply an integrative framework for the positive psycho...
Abstract: Mikulincer and Shaver argue that attachment theory belongs under the umbrella of positive psychology, and moreover that attachment theory can supply an integrative framework for the positive psycho...
TL;DR: The central psychological thesis advanced by Kasser, Cohn, Kanner, and Ryan is that ideologies and practices of modern corporate capitalism, epitomised by the United States but becoming increasingl...
Abstract: The central psychological thesis advanced by Kasser, Cohn, Kanner, and Ryan is that ideologies and practices of modern corporate capitalism, epitomised by the United States but becoming increasingl...
TL;DR: Brown, Ryan, and Creswell as mentioned in this paper provide an impressive and thorough review of mindfulness from multiple perspectives and traditions, and elucidate the Buddhist roots of contemporary conceptual concepts.
Abstract: Brown, Ryan, and Creswell (this issue) provide an impressive and thorough review of mindfulness from multiple perspectives and traditions. They elucidate the Buddhist roots of contemporary conceptu...
TL;DR: While mindfulness processes have been used for centuries, the scientific study of mindfulness is a very recent endeavor as mentioned in this paper, and the most challenging aspect of a scientific study is the problem of finding the right approach.
Abstract: While mindfulness processes have been used for centuries, the scientific study of mindfulness is a very recent endeavor. We agree with the authors that the most challenging aspect of a scientific s...
TL;DR: A common concern in academic life is that one is beating one's brains out trying to understand something important, yet no one will ever listen or care as mentioned in this paper. What a pleasure, then, to have some of the b...
Abstract: A common concern in academic life is that one is beating one's brains out trying to understand something important, yet no one will ever listen or care. What a pleasure, then, to have some of the b...
TL;DR: The theoretical core of the James-Mead model of the dynamic self (Kashima, Gurumurthy, Ouschan, Chong, & Mattingley, 2007) takes seriously both the temporal nature of identity and the fundamental s...
Abstract: The theoretical core of the James-Mead model of the dynamic self (Kashima, Gurumurthy, Ouschan, Chong, & Mattingley, 2007) takes seriously both the temporal nature of identity and the fundamental s...
TL;DR: For example, this paper pointed out that a three-word summary of positive psychology can be a good starting point for a discussion of what makes life most worth living, but sometimes we acknowledge that such summaries can be misleading.
Abstract: We are self-identified positive psychologists, and we spend much of our time teaching and writing about what makes life most worth living. But sometimes we acknowledge that a three-word summary of ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors thank the nine commentators for taking the time and energy to read their target article on American Corporate Capitalism (ACC) and for formulating such stimulating responses.
Abstract: We want to begin by thanking the nine commentators for taking the time and energy to read our target article on American Corporate Capitalism (ACC) and for formulating such stimulating responses. W...
TL;DR: In this paper, the I-SELF (Imitative and sequence learning functional) model is proposed to capture the temporal dynamics of a stream of consciousness whose content can be acquired via symbolically mediated social interaction with others in society.
Abstract: William James conceptualized I, the self as subject as a stream of consciousness. When this conception is augmented with George Herbert Mead's view of self as a radically socialized and enculturated process, a result is the James-Mead model of dynamic self as a stream of enculturated consciousness. In this paper, we argue that connectionism is best suited to theorize this challenging notion. Based on the view that a connectionist model should describe psychological processes that carry out psychological functions grounded in a biological living system, we propose the I-SELF (Imitative and Sequence Learning Functional) model, which is designed to capture the temporal dynamics of a stream of consciousness whose content can be acquired via symbolically mediated social interaction with others in society. We identify four implications of the James-Mead model of dynamic self (embodiment, narrative and self, individual and collective self, and culture and self), and report computer simulations to show the utilit...
TL;DR: The ways in which a sense of attachment security can be primed and the consequences that follow from this for self-, interpersonal, and intergroup perception are the subject of an insightful targ....
Abstract: The ways in which a sense of attachment security can be primed and the consequences that follow from this for self-, interpersonal, and intergroup perception are the subject of this insightful targ...
TL;DR: Mikulincer and Shaver (2007) offer an artic ulate and persuasive overview of their recent work on security-enhancing interventions, clearly documenting many positive effects of "security priming."
Abstract: It is exciting to see the remarkable advances made in our understanding of relationship cognition as the field matures. Mikulincer and Shaver (2007) offer an articulate and persuasive overview of t...
TL;DR: Kashima et al. as discussed by the authors presented an ambitious new model of the self that takes narrative influence even further by distinguishing between different kinds of connec tions between individuals and narrative characters that can result from transportation and recognizing the ac tive role of narrative recipients.
Abstract: Stories have long held a central place in human experience. Narratives create culture, change minds, and shape meaning. Some theorists have even claimed that all thought is narrative (Schank & Abelson, 1995). Kashima, Gurumurthy, Ouschan, Chong, and Mattingley (this issue) present an ambitious new model of the self that takes narrative influence even further. In their view, both individual and collective narratives are central to the self, and furthernore, the self resembles a narrative due to its dynamic and temporal nature. Testing this type of model presents unique chal lenges. One of social psychology's great strengths is its use of the experimental method (Wilson, 2005). So cial psychologists are expert at developing clean, clever experimental tests of interpersonal and intergroup phe nomena. However, social psychology's love affair with the laboratory may have the unintended consequence of reducing the richness of social behavior to relatively static or short-term processes that can be studied in one-shot sessions. Although longitudinal designs, di ary studies, and the like provide a useful corrective, these types of studies require significant investments of time and resources. Kashima and colleagues have taken another approach-network modeling-which attempts to capture the dynamic nature of the self. Al though computer modeling may oversimplify aspects of human functioning, connectionist models can also provide a fruitful means of conceptualizing psycholog ical processes, and capture the dynamic and temporal nature of psychological functioning. This commentary highlights two areas where a "next generation" I-SELF model might better capture nuances of how narratives become integrated into the self: distinguishing between different kinds of connec tions between individuals and narrative characters that can result from transportation, and recognizing the ac tive role of narrative recipients.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight supporting evidence from research on attachment and psychotherapy and from studies of group members' interpersonal perceptions using Kenny's (1994) Social Relations Model, concluding that attachment anxiety may be associated with undesirable changes in affect following some secure attachment primes.
Abstract: Mikulincer and Shaver (2007) summarize work providing new evidence of the far-reaching implications of the efforts of their research team to advance attachment theory in the study adult interpersonal behavior. This impressive body of experimental research strongly supports the conclusion that attachment processes are at the foundation of important social interactions such as prosocial behavior, altruism, empathy, and intergroup acceptance. In this response I have highlight supporting evidence from research on attachment and psychotherapy and from studies of group members' interpersonal perceptions using Kenny's (1994) Social Relations Model. Caution is also urged regarding the conclusion that secure attachment primes have beneficial effects for nearly everyone. New experimental evidence suggests attachment anxiety may be associated with undesirable changes in affect following some secure attachment primes.
TL;DR: In this paper, Kashima et al. develop an interesting model of self that attempts to simulate several psychological processes critical to an amalgamated James-Mead theoretical conceptualization of self.
Abstract: In this paper Kashima et al. develop an interesting model of self that attempts to simulate several psychological processes critical to an amalgamated James-Mead theoretical conceptualization of se...
TL;DR: The secure base concept proposed by attachment theorists has often seemed little more than a colorful metaphor, a hypothetical construct that only comes alive in images of a child's exploration and exploration as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The secure base concept proposed by attachment theorists has often seemed little more than a colorful metaphor, a hypothetical construct that only comes alive in images of a child's exploration beh...
TL;DR: Kasser et al. as mentioned in this paper found that 50% of those who said yes to a toxic waste dump might be dangerous, and that it might decrease the value of their property.
Abstract: About two decades ago, the citizens of Switzerland faced a momentous policy decision: where in the country should toxic waste sites should be located. There was to be a national referendum on the issue. The populace was well informed, and the issue really mattered. Two enterprising social scientists saw a golden opportunity (Frey and Oberholzer-Gee, 1997). They went from house to house in several regions of the country asking people whether they would be willing to have a toxic waste dump in their community. Strikingly, fully 50% of respondents said yes. The researchers followed up with those who said yes to ascertain whether people realized that a toxic waste dump might be dangerous, and that it might decrease the value of their property. The results were clear: people were not happy to host the dump, and they fully realized that there might be both health and economic consequences. Nonetheless, it had to go somewhere, and their community was as good a place as any. All citizens had civic responsibilities, and if their number was called, so be it. At some houses, the researchers asked the question differently. They asked people whether, if the government paid them X Swiss francs a year (with X varied from one group of respondents to another), they would be willing to have a dump located in their community. At the highest value of X offered, an amount equal to six weeks worth of an average Swiss person’s salary, about 25% said yes. Offers of more compensation changed the view of only one person. Somehow, the offer of compensation made the prospect of a toxic waste dump less tolerable than it was when no compensation was offered. What could account for this strange, apparently irrational phenomenon? Consider: the people offered no compensation had only one reason to say yes—public duty. In contrast, the citizens offered compensation had the same public duty, plus money. Surely two reasons to say yes are stronger than one. To explain this peculiar result, Frey and Oberholzer-Gee (1997) suggested that sometimes motives that one might expect to be complementary might actually compete. For the uncompensated respondents, the question was, “what are my responsibilities as a citizen?” For the compensated respondents, there were two questions. The first question was, “should I answer this as a citizen or as a self-interested individual?” The offer of compensation provided the implicit answer that self-interest should govern the decision. Then they approached the second question: “how much is health and safety worth to me?” And their answer to that question was obviously “a lot more than they’re willing to pay me.” For me, this simple study captures vividly what Kasser, Cohn, Kanner, and Ryan (2007) argue in their important paper. Corporate capitalism is not psychologically inert. It does not simply take people as they are and cater to their varied goals and desires. It promotes some goals and desires and minimizes others. It encourages values like materialism, individualism, and competition that compete with and crowd out other values that may better serve both societies and individuals. Indeed, Frey and Oberholzer-Gee even coined the term “motivational crowding out” to explain their result. Just how significant a phenomenon is crowding out? As Frey and Oberholzer-Gee, and I think Kasser et al. understand it, crowding out, though significant, is a context dependent phenomenon. In a particular circumstance, self-interested, individualistic, materialistic values can “crowd out” civic virtue. But civic virtue, or social and moral concern, remains a part of human beings. Their expression is just suppressed. Said another way, fundamental characteristics of human nature are not being destroyed, or even altered. They are just not given full opportunity for expression. I do not want to minimize the significance of this phenomenon if it is true. If people are not given the opportunity to express important values and pursue important goals, there are likely to be profound psychological consequences. That said I want to suggest a gloomier possibility. It is at least possible that when various non-capitalist values are suppressed, they eventually shrivel up and die. It is possible, in other words, that capitalism remakes people into different creatures—creatures who are suited to live in a world completely dominated by market institutions.
TL;DR: This paper provided a brief commentary on this article, whose authorship includes several scholars, from whose stimulating ideas I continue to benefit and who continue to provide stimulating ideas from their stimulating ideas.
Abstract: I am grateful for the invitation to provide a brief commentary on this article, whose authorship includes several scholars, from whose stimulating ideas I continue to benefit. If economics is frequ...
TL;DR: In this paper, Mikulincer and Shaver found that meaningful benefits emerge not only from actual secure attachments in real-life relationships, but also from the mere activation of attachment-connoting con cepts into working memory.
Abstract: There are two remarkable things about the empirical findings summarized by Mikulincer and Shaver. One is that meaningful benefits emerge not only from actual secure attachments in real-life relationships, but also from the mere activation of attachment-connoting con cepts into working memory. The second remarkable finding is that these beneficial effects are found across such a diverse range of meaningful outcomes. The cog nitive priming of attachment security makes people healthier. It leads them to be more compassionate and helpful to others. It reduces prejudice. Future research will, no doubt, discover yet more benefits that emerge from the simple priming of attachment security. I'm tempted to believe that a sense of secure attachment may be the psychological equivalent of a broadband antibiotic-a sort of universal antidote to everything that ails us. But first, before I yield to this idealistic temptation, perhaps I should ask a couple of questions.
TL;DR: Kashima et al. as discussed by the authors proposed a connectionist model to capture the self's temporal and socio-culturally contextualized nature, which can capture key aspects and functions of a dynamic cognitive-affective self-system.
Abstract: Comments on an article by Kashima et al. (see record 2007-10111-001). In their target article Kashima and colleagues try to show how a connectionist model conceptualization of the self is best suited to capture the self's temporal and socio-culturally contextualized nature. They propose a new model and to support this model, the authors conduct computer simulations of psychological phenomena whose importance for the self has long been clear, even if not formally modeled, such as imitation, and learning of sequence and narrative. As explicated when we advocated connectionist models as a metaphor for self in Mischel and Morf (2003), we fully endorse the utility of such a metaphor, as these models have some of the processing characteristics necessary for capturing key aspects and functions of a dynamic cognitive-affective self-system. As elaborated in that chapter, we see as their principal strength that connectionist models can take account of multiple simultaneous processes without invoking a single central control. All outputs reflect a distributed pattern of activation across a large number of simple processing units, the nature of which depends on (and changes with) the connection weights between the links and the satisfaction of mutual constraints across these links (Rummelhart & McClelland, 1986). This allows a simple account for why certain input features will at times predominate, while others take over on other occasions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)
TL;DR: Kasser, Cohn, Kanner, and Ryan as mentioned in this paper pointed out that the page limits on this article do not allow for full explanation of our ideas in terms of both depth and breadth.
Abstract: Kasser, Cohn, Kanner, and Ryan (2007) noted “the page limits on this article do not allow for full explanation of our ideas in terms of both depth and breadth” (p. 3). I have some sympathy for thei...