In this 55th episode, Dr. Knabb explores the important topic of attention in general, as well as attentional control more narrowly. Specifically, he discusses the role that attentional control plays in mental health within the secular psychology literature, then illuminates a Christian perspective on the topic. To conclude, he offers a short contemplative practice to move toward greater attentional control in the Christian life.
References
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Attention. https://dictionary.apa.org/attention
Bishop, S. R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., & Devins, G. (2004). Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11(3), 230-241.
Knabb, J., & Bates, M. (2020). “Holy desire” within the “Cloud of Unknowing”: The psychological contributions of medieval apophatic contemplation to Christian mental health in the 21st century. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 39, 24-39.
Cairncross, M., & Miller, C. J. (2020). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapies for ADHD: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Attention Disorders, 24(5), 627-643.
Contemplative Outreach. (n.d.). Centering prayer. https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/centering-prayer-method/
Guigo II. (2012). The ladder of monks (P. Nau, Trans.) [Kindle version]. Amazon.com
Hayes, S., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.
Hsu, K. J., Beard, C., Rifkin, L., Dillon, D. G., Pizzagalli, D. A., & Björgvinsson, T. (2015). Transdiagnostic mechanisms in depression and anxiety: The role of rumination and attentional control. Journal of Affective Disorders, 188, 22-27.
Johnston, W. (Ed.). (1973). The cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling. Image Books.
Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.
Segal, Z., Williams, J., & Teasdale, J. (2012). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.
Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation. (2003a). Discipline. Upper Room Books.