Effects of Praying and a Working Memory Task in Participants Trained in Meditation and Controls on the Occurrence of Spontaneous Thoughts

Abstract

So-called "intrusive thoughts" appear independently from external stimuli and are the cause of severe disturbances in depressed patients. Following Baddeley's 1986 discoveries regarding "articulatory suppression," we investigated the influence of praying and of a working memory task on the number of spontaneous thoughts reported by 20 subjects compared to the control (quiet) state. Two groups of subjects were tested: those trained in meditation and controls. Significant reduction in simultaneous thought arousal was obtained during both the working memory task and the recitation of prayer. In all three experimental conditions, meditation practitioners reported significantly fewer spontaneous thoughts.

The Relationship Between Biblical Literacy, Academic Achievement, and School Behavior Among Christian- and Public-School Students

“…Although this study did not seek to determine, but only suggests, the direction of causality specifically, many theories have been propounded about the effects of religious expression has on academic achievement and student behavior. These theories include: 1) the presence of a religious ''work ethic'' (Gerhards, 1996;Jeynes, 2003aJeynes, , 2003b, 2) the fact that religious people are more likely to have an internal locus of control (Jackson & Coursey, 1988), and 3) that Christians are less likely to engage in behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse, that has a deleterious effect on academic and behavioral outcomes (Fabbro, Muzor, Bellen, Calcione, & Bava, 1999;Jeynes, 2006).…”

A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature on Intercessory Prayer

“…As implied in the introduction, the relatively extensive research on the effects of personal prayer fell outside the study's scope (Bernardi et al, 2001;Fabbro, Muzur, Bellen, Calacione, & Bava, 1999;Sistler & Washington, 1999). Similarly, cross-sectional research on prayer was deemed beyond the purview of the study (Ellison, 1993).…”

“…Studies were held to be outside the parameters of the review if they employed nonclinical/patient samples (O'Laoire, 1997;Tloczynski & Fritzsch, 2002) or featured less rigorous designs, such as single case studies (Kowey, Friehling, & Marinchak, 1986;Sajwaj & Hedges, 1973) or nonrandom, voluntary assignment to control and treatment groups (Carson & Huss, 1979). As implied in the introduction, the relatively extensive research on the effects of personal prayer fell outside the study's scope (Bernardi et al, 2001;Fabbro, Muzur, Bellen, Calacione, & Bava, 1999;Sistler & Washington, 1999). Similarly, cross-sectional research on prayer was deemed beyond the purview of the study (Ellison, 1993).…”

Efficacy of Frequent Mantram Repetition on Stress, Quality of Life, and Spiritual Well-Being in Veterans

“…None of these methods include information related to spirituality or spiritual coping, a frequently overlooked resource in the healthcare setting. People who regularly meditate and/or pray have been found to have fewer intrusive thoughts (Fabbro, Muzur, Bellen, Calacione, & Bava, 1999), so developing ways to incorporate spirituality into stress management programs may enhance their effectiveness.…”