NEW335H1 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Voltage, Theta Wave
Lecture 1: Introduction
Give a definition of meditation that accommodates the two main goals of the practice.
General definition: Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains the mind and/or
induces an altered state of consciousness central to mind body medicine: to improve
performance and well-being
1. Meditation can be defined as a form of mental training that aims to improve an
idiiduals ore physiologial apaities (ie: attetioal ad eotioal self-regulation)
2. Complex neural practice that induces changes in neurophysiology and neurochemistry
of the brain – altered neurocognition and behavior
3. Refers to a family of self-regulation practices that focus on training attention and
awareness in order to bring mental processes under greater voluntary control mental
well-being, devo, and/or specific capacities such as calm, clarity, and concentration
Describe the demographic that typically engages in meditation. Why is demographic
information important?
a) Demographic that engages in meditation: younger age, higher income, higher
education, higher stress level, and lower body mass index. 60% of practitioners were
female
b) Importance of demographic information: evaluating the effects of meditation. For ex:
the cohort might practice most often because they are most sensitive to the practice
What are some elements common to many meditative practices?
Elements of meditation: fixed attention, breathing practices, assumed postures, physical
exercises (can affect oxygenation – included for pain therapy), repetition of certain
words/phrases out loud – mantras, rehearsal of particular scripts, ceremonial objects or dress,
philosophical attitudes & lifestyle regulations, religious beliefs.
Explain how lifestyle and ideology are an important factor in the effects of meditation and
the results of meditation studies.
Many meditative practices like Buddhism are accompanied by ideology (religious or
philosophical) or a particular lifestyle physiological and psychological effects by themselves
(complicating our study of meditation)
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Difficult to determine if meditation, ideology, or lifestyle is most important – certain forms of
meditation may have stronger effects with a spiritual component
Note: in western society, meditative practices that are secular/unaccompanied by
philosophy/lifestyle are preferred in complementary alternative medicine mindfulness and
transcendental meditation
What do e ea he e sa editatio is opleetar alteratie ediie? Ho is
this different than alternative medicine?
Alternative medicine: substitute for regular medicine (drinking kale smoothies).
Complementary alternative medicine can be seen as a supplement using meditation in
addition to conventional medicine for better results.
Differentiate mindfulness and transcendental meditation. How do they differ in their
features, goals and effects? (Please note that part of this answer may be found in other
lectures)
Transcendental meditation: idued a akeful hypoetaoli physiologi state distit fro
other states of arousal reduced metabolism, O2 consumption, CO2 elimination, respiration
and HR *physiological. State of enlightenment and inner calmness. DN include so many
exercises – learned more quickly.
Mindfulness meditation: paying attention in a particular way – on purpose in the present
moment and non-judgmentally reliable effects on mood and disorders and pain
*psychological
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Define mindfulness. What is the difference between mindfulness, mindfulness meditation
and mindfulness-based stress reduction?
1. Mindfulness: refers to the TRAIT or philosophy of being mindful. AKA paying attention in a
particular way – on purpose in the present moment and non-judgmentally. It a) fosters the
inhibition of secondary elaborative cognitive processing (rumination/worry) b) orients the
individual toward internal/external experiences through openness, curiosity, and acceptance.
2. Mindfulness meditation: meditation STYLE that is based on the philosophy of mindfulness
3. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): specific BEHAVIOURAL PROGRAM which includes
mindfulness meditation and many other activities
Describe the time length and major elements of a mindfulness-based stress reduction
program.
Length of time of MBSR: 8 weeks.
Major elements: mindfulness meditation, mindful eating, mindful walking, body scan exercises
and yoga exercises etc.
Lecture 2
What are some physiological changes that are observed in so-alled relaig fors of
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Document Summary
Give a definition of meditation that accommodates the two main goals of the practice. Describe the demographic that typically engages in meditation. Why is demographic information important: demographic that engages in meditation: younger age, higher income, higher education, higher stress level, and lower body mass index. 60% of practitioners were female: importance of demographic information: evaluating the effects of meditation. For ex: the cohort might practice most often because they are most sensitive to the practice. Explain how lifestyle and ideology are an important factor in the effects of meditation and the results of meditation studies. Many meditative practices like buddhism are accompanied by ideology (religious or philosophical) or a particular lifestyle physiological and psychological effects by themselves (complicating our study of meditation) Difficult to determine if meditation, ideology, or lifestyle is most important certain forms of meditation may have stronger effects with a spiritual component.
