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17-10-2023 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Brief Compassion Training Reduces Intergroup Psychological Barriers: An Experimental Study

Auteurs: Jackie C. K. Chow, Winnie W. S. Mak, Larry Auyeung

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 11/2023

Abstract

Objectives

This experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of a brief online compassion induction on the individuals’ responses towards different outgroups.

Method

A single-blinded randomized design was employed. Two hundred twenty-three participants (n = 223) completed the baseline questionnaire. They were randomly assigned to either the compassion condition (watch a 20-min video on guided compassion practice) or the attention control condition (watch a 20-min video on rock formation). Experimenters monitored participants’ attentiveness. A post-experiment questionnaire was administered immediately afterwards. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used for outcome analyses. The independent variables included experimental conditions (compassion vs. attention control), timepoint of the measurement (pre-experiment, post-experiment), and interactions between these variables. Outcome variables included negative outgroup emotions and attitudes, social distance, and donation behavior towards three outgroups (ethnic minorities, Mainland immigrants, people with opposite political views).

Results

Compared to the control condition, the compassion induction led to a small reduction in the overall negative emotions (d = 0.22), attitudes (d = 0.24), and social distance (d = 0.21) towards outgroup. Small reductions in negative emotions (d = 0.26), attitudes (d = 0.40), and social distance (d = 0.28) towards immigrants were also found. Additionly, a small reduction in negative emotions (d = 0.26) towards political partisans was observed. No effect was found for ethnic minorities, while the effect of compassion on donation behavior was not significant.

Conclusions

A brief online compassion induction could facilitate more favorable responses towards outgroups, reducing intergroup psychological barriers. Generic compassion induction could potentially serve as a convenient tool for intergroup interventions targeting various social groups.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.

vorige artikel Preliminary Evaluation of Learning to BREATHE PLUS for University Students: Does a Multi-Modal Adaptive Supplement Strengthen Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention?

volgende artikel At-Home use of App-Based Mindfulness for Children: A Randomized Active-Controlled Trial

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Titel: Brief Compassion Training Reduces Intergroup Psychological Barriers: An Experimental Study
Auteurs: Jackie C. K. Chow
Winnie W. S. Mak
Larry Auyeung
Publicatiedatum: 17-10-2023
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 11/2023
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02230-4

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