Mindful Breathing May Worsen Bias, Study Finds
Two randomized controlled trials reveal that short-term meditation can actually increase sensitivity to social stereotypes, while relaxation techniques prove more effective for reducing bias.
"Short-term meditation may heighten conflict monitoring without providing sufficient executive control."
The Study
A study published in PLOS One investigated whether brief mindful breathing meditation reduces the expression of social stereotypes. The research consisted of two randomized, double-blinded trials comparing three interventions:
- Mindful breathing meditation
- Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
- A neutral history podcast (control)
Measuring Bias
Participants completed reaction-time tasks designed to detect implicit bias:
- Shooter task: Black/White targets holding either guns or harmless objects
- Avoidance task: German/Turkish targets with knives or harmless items
Key Findings
Using Bayesian hierarchical Drift Diffusion Modeling, researchers analyzed two key processes:
- Drift rate (evidence accumulation)
- Threshold separation (decision caution)
The results were striking:
- Mindful breathing increased stereotype-biased evidence accumulation in the shooter task
- PMR reduced the influence of target ethnicity
- The meditation group showed higher cognitive conflict on stereotype-incongruent trials
Why This Happens
Researchers suggest that short-term meditation may heighten conflict monitoring—making people more aware of stereotypes—but does not provide the executive control needed to override them. This can paradoxically amplify sensitivity to social identities.
Relaxation techniques like PMR may work differently: by reducing physiological stress, they free cognitive resources for deliberate, controlled decision-making.
The Takeaway
"Longer, sustained mindfulness training may be necessary to achieve unbiased decision-making."
While meditation is often praised as a universal tool for clarity, this study suggests that its effects are nuanced. Short bursts may not be enough—and could even backfire.