Meditative Training Improves Undergraduate Executive Functioning

ABSTRACT

The experience of attending college can be a stressful experience for many students, one that college and university counseling centers may have limited resources of time and finances to assuage. For instance, decision making may deteriorate during times of stress and result in a narrowed perceptual set. The present study sought to determine through a novel design whether meditative training could effectively address the situation. Results indicated that classroom-based meditative training improved executive functioning among college students regarding stress, cognitive flexibility, and insight. Such an approach to intervention may provide college and university counseling centers with greater opportunities to better meet student emotional and academic needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Attention
• cognitive flexibility
• community college
• counseling center
• executive functions
• introspection
• meditation
• relaxation
• stress