The Motivated and Mindful Perceiver: Relationships Among Motivated Perception, Mindfulness, and Self-Regulation

Emily Balcetis, Shana Cole, Sana Sherali

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Motivated perception is a phenomenon wherein sensory information is biased in accordance with active goals, needs, and desires. In this chapter, we discuss three qualities of motivated visual perception: active construction, heightened awareness, and flexibility. We speculate how these qualities of motivated perception, which are also descriptive of the phenomenon of mindfulness, produce beneficial consequences that assist perceivers with pursuing and attaining their goals. We further conjecture that motivated visual perception may work in similar ways to, act in accordance with, or be the result of mindful states of being. We call for future research to test the relationship between the two and discuss implications of motivated perception and mindfulness in a variety of situations related to self-regulation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Mindfulness
PublisherWiley-Blackwell
Pages200-215
Number of pages16
Volume1-2
ISBN (Electronic)9781118294895
ISBN (Print)9781118294871
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 21 2014

Keywords

  • Circumstantial evidence
  • Flexible strategy
  • Goal-relevant opportunities
  • Mindfulness
  • Motivated perception
  • Perceptual accuracy
  • Self-regulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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