Mindfulness May Combat Prejudice, New Study Finds
Researchers explore the potential of mindfulness practices, particularly gratitude mindfulness, to combat prejudice. Collective narcissism, an exaggerated belief in one's group superiority, fuels prejudice, leading to distrust and hostility towards other groups.
Prejudice, encompassing negative attitudes or judgments towards individuals or groups based on characteristics like race, gender, or religion, can manifest subtly or explicitly. Mindfulness practices, a practice of full attention, can help reduce these biases by increasing awareness of implicit biases and fostering empathy.
Research suggests that mindfulness practices, especially gratitude mindfulness - a variant that combines full attention with appreciation of life's positive aspects - can reduce prejudice, particularly in individuals with high levels of collective narcissism. This practice has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while promoting self-compassion, empathy, and interpersonal relationships. However, more research is needed to determine the generalizability of these effects and to explore how mindfulness practices can be integrated into larger-scale intervention programs.
Mindfulness practices, especially gratitude mindfulness, show promise in reducing prejudice, including racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Further research is crucial to understand its full potential and to develop effective intervention programs.
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