Recording: Scientific Evidence for Some of the Social, Personal, and Health Benefits of Meditation
This session was presented by Assistant Professor Chad Danyluck, from the Department of Psychology.
There is a preponderance of research examining the benefits of meditation for personal health. Surprisingly, the literature has been relatively silent about how meditation might change society via changes to the individual. This talk will present evidence from three cross-sectional studies, each demonstrating potential societal benefits of engaging in a meditative practice, as elicited through changes to the individual. Specifically, we will consider the relationship between meditation and (1) the development of character strengths that can enhance interpersonal relationships, (2) neurophysiological effects linked to the inhibition of racial biases, and (3) collective physiological processes that may enhance personal and relational well-being. After the presentation, we will engage in a brief guided meditation.
About the Researcher
Professor Chad Danyluck is a social psychophysiologist who studies interpersonal interactions. His primary research interests focus on understanding the interpersonal processes that promote and detract from the health and wellbeing of underrepresented groups, with an emphasis on Indigenous people. To target these goals, he uses ecologically valid methods (e.g., community-based research, field studies, as well as psychophysiological, dyadic, and group-based designs), advanced statistics (e.g., structural equation modeling, multilevel modelling), and open science practices (e.g., pre-registrations, pre-print, data and code sharing). His aim is to understand the combination of subjective, behavioral, physiological, and social factors that support harmonious interpersonal relationships in diverse societies and to help underrepresented groups live safer, healthier, and happier lives.
Mental Health Speaker Series
This session is part of the Healthy Workplace Mental Health Speaker Series 2020/2021. Find out more.