The Political Consequences of Be(com)ing Mindful. How Mindfulness Might Affect Political Attitudes

Though research provides ample evidence that mindfulness shapes psychological processes and states that are linked to political attitudes and behavior, political science has so far largely ignored mindfulness as a potential explanatory factor shaping political attitudes and actions. This literature...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Lena Ramstetter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Political Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2021.673054/full
_version_ 1818591093385592832
author Lena Ramstetter
author_facet Lena Ramstetter
author_sort Lena Ramstetter
collection DOAJ
description Though research provides ample evidence that mindfulness shapes psychological processes and states that are linked to political attitudes and behavior, political science has so far largely ignored mindfulness as a potential explanatory factor shaping political attitudes and actions. This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the concept of mindfulness and outlines potential linkages between mindfulness and outlines political attitudes. I begin by identifying gaps in the literature on political attitude formation and change as well as its linkage to political behavior. I then introduce mindfulness as a multifaceted concept, discussing its definitional features and unravelling the mechanisms of mindfulness affecting cognitive and emotional abilities. Building on this foundation, I review research on correlates and effects of mindfulness on attitudes and behaviors related to the political domain, such as pro-environmentalism and pro-social behavior. Critically reflecting on extant research on mindfulness, I propose possible research avenues for political science that enhance its dialogue with neuroscience and social psychology.
first_indexed 2024-12-16T10:06:57Z
format Article
id doaj.art-bddd195c45924f84a8f679eca0b6c3be
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2673-3145
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-16T10:06:57Z
publishDate 2021-10-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Political Science
spelling doaj.art-bddd195c45924f84a8f679eca0b6c3be2022-12-21T22:35:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Political Science2673-31452021-10-01310.3389/fpos.2021.673054673054The Political Consequences of Be(com)ing Mindful. How Mindfulness Might Affect Political AttitudesLena RamstetterThough research provides ample evidence that mindfulness shapes psychological processes and states that are linked to political attitudes and behavior, political science has so far largely ignored mindfulness as a potential explanatory factor shaping political attitudes and actions. This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the concept of mindfulness and outlines potential linkages between mindfulness and outlines political attitudes. I begin by identifying gaps in the literature on political attitude formation and change as well as its linkage to political behavior. I then introduce mindfulness as a multifaceted concept, discussing its definitional features and unravelling the mechanisms of mindfulness affecting cognitive and emotional abilities. Building on this foundation, I review research on correlates and effects of mindfulness on attitudes and behaviors related to the political domain, such as pro-environmentalism and pro-social behavior. Critically reflecting on extant research on mindfulness, I propose possible research avenues for political science that enhance its dialogue with neuroscience and social psychology.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2021.673054/fullmindfulnesspolitical attitudespolitical psychologyempathyemotionsemotion regulation
spellingShingle Lena Ramstetter
The Political Consequences of Be(com)ing Mindful. How Mindfulness Might Affect Political Attitudes
Frontiers in Political Science
mindfulness
political attitudes
political psychology
empathy
emotions
emotion regulation
title The Political Consequences of Be(com)ing Mindful. How Mindfulness Might Affect Political Attitudes
title_full The Political Consequences of Be(com)ing Mindful. How Mindfulness Might Affect Political Attitudes
title_fullStr The Political Consequences of Be(com)ing Mindful. How Mindfulness Might Affect Political Attitudes
title_full_unstemmed The Political Consequences of Be(com)ing Mindful. How Mindfulness Might Affect Political Attitudes
title_short The Political Consequences of Be(com)ing Mindful. How Mindfulness Might Affect Political Attitudes
title_sort political consequences of be com ing mindful how mindfulness might affect political attitudes
topic mindfulness
political attitudes
political psychology
empathy
emotions
emotion regulation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2021.673054/full
work_keys_str_mv AT lenaramstetter thepoliticalconsequencesofbecomingmindfulhowmindfulnessmightaffectpoliticalattitudes
AT lenaramstetter politicalconsequencesofbecomingmindfulhowmindfulnessmightaffectpoliticalattitudes