Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans)

Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans).

• Hölzel, B K, Carmody, J, Vangel, M, Congleton, C, Yerramsetti, S M, Gard, T and Lazar, S W (2011), Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research, 191(1): 36-43.
• The study by Hölzel et al. investigated the effects of mindfulness practice on brain structure in an experiment using a longitudinal design. The techniques used included MRI scans and self-reports. The study also used correlations.
• The psychology being investigated includes: mindfulness; localisation of function.
• For this study, candidates should understand the background, aims, procedure and methodology as appropriate (research method, sample and demographics, sampling technique, experimental design, controls, question types, data-collection technique, and measured and manipulated variables), ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative results and their representation and interpretation, conclusions, and strengths and weaknesses; describe and evaluate the methodology; and relate the study to psychological issues and debates.

This matters because hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.