Mindfulness

Question 1

Aim of Mindfulness

Answer 1

Allow ppl to be in control of own mind by paying attention to present thoughts and emotions. Enhance a person’s pos characteristics and allow them to become happier.

Question 2

Main components of Mindfulness: Gaining control of thoughts

Answer 2

• Being mindful trains to focus on present thoughts, emotions and feelings.
• Avoid thinking abt past and future which may create unnecessary feelings of worry/guily/anxiousness.
• Focus on present means greater awareness of neg thoughts so can control and minimise them.
• Recognise neg thoughts to alter response and become more pos and optimistic.

Question 3

Main components Mindfulness: Meditation and mindful breathing

Answer 3

• Formal training in sitting meditation most effective. Removes from daily interactions to focus mind easier.
• Meditation learned through guided instruction and personal practice.
• Guided Meditation involves comfortable sitting, straight spine, and focus on breathing, body’s sensations, thoughts and emotions. Prevents neg thoughts intruding.

Question 4

Main components Mindfulness: Informal practices of mindfulness

Answer 4

• Once learnt can be practiced during everyday such as whilst driving, walking and cleaning.
• Opposite of multi-tasking. Focus on one task and absorb surroundings.
• Bring attention back to breathing and other sensations when mind wanders.

Question 5

Main components Mindfulness: programme

Answer 5

.b is a mindfulness in schools project to provide 11-18 year olds with tools to reduce stress and anxiety. 10 lesson structure designed for classroom.

Question 6

Evaluate effectiveness of Mindfulness: strengths

Answer 6

• Research to support. Williams et al (2013) found MBCT as effective as antidepressants in reducing recurrence.
• Alleviates suffering. May not deal with root cause but helps to cope and not dwell on neg thoughts. May be all someone wants from therapy.

Question 7

Effectiveness of Mindfulness: weaknesses

Answer 7

• Doesn’t tackle root cause of disorder. Thoughts could keep reoccurring if cause not examined, could be childhood trauma etc. May not be appropriate for disorders like PTSD, anxiety or schizophrenia.
• Not developed to cure/alleviate mental illness. Grew from Buddhist meditation. May have limited use as a therapy. More useful to promote wellbeing in mentally healthy ppl?

Question 8

Ethics of Mindfulness: strengths

Answer 8

• Highly ethical. Few side effects. Highly pos attitude to wellbeing. Promotes free will and empowers ppl to make changes in own life. Compared to CBT- doesn’t place blame onto client.
• Thousands of in person and online courses to be taught basics. Strength for those who may be reluctant to visit a psychologist or share problems with a stranger.

Question 9

Ethics of Mindfulness: weaknesses

Answer 9

• Big issue being delivered by untrained practitioners. Particularly concerning for those using it to treat mental illness. Dr Florian Ruth in Guardian ‘Delivered to potentially vulnerable ppl… needs to be taught by those who know the basics of those illnesses’.

Question 10

Apply assumptions to Mindfulness

Answer 10

• Acknowledgement of free will- mindfulness needs to be consciously aware of thoughts and feelings and actively respond to these. Take control and be responsible for reduce focus on neg thoughts.
• Authenticity of goodness and excellence- mindfulness demonstrates pos traits as authentic as neg ones. Indicates strive to achieve fulfilment by dev core strengths.