Poster Title

P-09 Imagery, Prayer, and Mind Wandering: Kataphatic Prayer

Abstract

Mind wandering—reduced attention to external events—during prayer could pose a problem for Christians. However, different types of prayer make different cognitive demands. Kataphatic prayer, a common type of evangelical Christian prayer, makes use of mental imagery in hopes of experiencing God in a richer sense. Because both mind wandering and kataphatic prayer require imagery, tying up imagery resources in kataphatic prayer should block mind wandering thereby improving focus. Participants in this study will either pray as they normally do, view a visual task, or engage in kataphatic prayer while self-monitoring for mind wandering.

Acknowledgments

J.N. Andrews Honors Scholar

Advisor: Karl Bailey, Behavioral Science

Location

Buller Hallway

Start Date

3-6-2015 2:30 PM

End Date

3-6-2015 4:00 PM

Link to Full Text

COinS
 
Mar 6th, 2:30 PM Mar 6th, 4:00 PM

P-09 Imagery, Prayer, and Mind Wandering: Kataphatic Prayer

Buller Hallway

Mind wandering—reduced attention to external events—during prayer could pose a problem for Christians. However, different types of prayer make different cognitive demands. Kataphatic prayer, a common type of evangelical Christian prayer, makes use of mental imagery in hopes of experiencing God in a richer sense. Because both mind wandering and kataphatic prayer require imagery, tying up imagery resources in kataphatic prayer should block mind wandering thereby improving focus. Participants in this study will either pray as they normally do, view a visual task, or engage in kataphatic prayer while self-monitoring for mind wandering.