Background and Content of the Study

Over the last decades, isolation, stress, and psychological tensions have been steadily increasing in our society. Mental training can alter stress responses, physical health, resilience, attention, perception, emotional experience, and social behavior. Evidence for these results is based on subjective reports of past participants and observed behavioral changes, as well as observed changes in brain function and structure. Moreover, health factors, such as peripheral autonomic responses, stress hormones, and immune parameters were significantly changed after training.

In contrast to most previous studies of just a few months, the ReSource Project will be conducted over a period of one year and will cover a wide range of practices intended to enhance cognitive and socio-affective skills.

The ReSource Project consists of three consecutive modules: Presence, Perspective, and Affect. The Presence Module trains mindful attention to internal mental and physical processes. The Perspective module focuses on socio-cognitive abilities, such as insight into the nature of the mind and self, and also the ability to assume the perspective of others. The Affect module focuses on constructive ways of dealing with difficult emotions, and works to cultivate prosocial motivations and positive emotions such as compassion.

A regular update of scientific publications of the ReSource Projekt is available on the homepage of the Max Planck Social Neuroscience Lab in Berlin:  ReSource Publications

For more information on the ReSource Project see: 
https://taniasinger.de/the-resource-project/