The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little. - Jon Kabat-Zinn

What is the observer effect? How do you explain the observer effect? What is observer effect in psychology?

Hello, Jason Cain here and welcome to the Ancient wisdom modern mind Blog and today I would like to share with you the theory of the “Observer Effect and its effect in Mindfulness”.

In physics this theory states that the mere observation of a phenomenon inevitably changes that phenomenon. For example: trying to observe an electron will change the path of the electron. A more mundane observer effect can be the result of instruments that by necessity alter the state of what they measure in some manner. For instance, in electronics, ammeters and voltmeters usually need to be connected to the circuit, and so by their very presence affect the current or the voltage they are measuring. Likewise, a standard mercury-in-glass thermometer must absorb some thermal energy to record a temperature, and therefore changes the temperature of the body which it is measuring.

In quantum mechanics, if the outcome of an event has not been observed, it exists in a state of superposition, which is being in all possible states at once. The most famous example is the thought experiment “Schrödinger's cat”, in which the cat is neither alive nor dead until observed — until that time, the cat is both alive and dead.

So now does this relate to mindfulness?

“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally”. This is the often-cited definition from author Jon Kabat-Zinn.

A similar definition comes from psychologist Scott Bishop, who describes mindfulness as a “non-elaborative, non-judgmental, present-centered awareness in which each thought, feeling and sensation that arises ... is acknowledged and accepted as it is”.

And as simple this may sound, mindfulness transforms how we relate to events and experiences, one could say that it creates a more spacious way of being in the world that is less reactive.

For some people, mindfulness is primarily a way to enhance health or performance. For others, mindfulness is a tool for self-exploration.  And for yet others, mindfulness is part of a spiritual path, a way to develop insight into the human condition and freedom from suffering.

Regardless of the motivation, the observer effect changes the structure and function of the self as well as changing psychological responses in our character, which suggests that the practice of self-observation has an impact on our mental and emotional personality. Which in turn slowly leads us towards a non-judgmental and non-reactive acceptance of experience.

In parapsychology, the observer effect refers to the phenomenon that when the person performing the tests expects to get positive results, he does, and likewise when he expects a negative result.

Interestingly in the social sciences, the effect refers to how people change their behavior when it is observed. People often do not behave in their usual manner when aware of being watched, and mindfulness works in the same way. The observer effect works in relation to mindfulness because you are observing yourself, you change your behavior because you are being observed. You react regardless if the observer is yourself or another person.

Try this simple exercise

This simple exercise asks you to place your attention on your thumb or finger while cultivating a curious, engaged, and non-judgmental relationship to what you’re noticing.

1.     Touch your index finger and thumb together.

2.     Explore your thumb with the tip of your index finger. What do you notice? Roughness? Smoothness? Heat? Coolness? Dryness? Are there thoughts, memories that arise as you continue to explore your thumb?

3.     Now explore your index finger with your thumb. Is it the same? Rougher? Smoother? Hotter? Cooler? Drier? New thoughts or memories?

Consider

• Did you notice how your attention shifted with each exploration?

• Were you curious and engaged in trying out the above exercise?

• Did you notice how you dropped beneath the concept of “thumb” and “index finger” into the immediate moment-to-moment, as you felt and experienced these parts of your body?

This simple exercise demonstrates the skills of intending, then placing your attention on the thumb or finger (or anything else). Notice how you changed your thoughts about the Thumb and Index finger. The “Observer Effect” forces this change because you are the mindful observer.

Now try this short, 1-minute guided audio for a taste of a mindful meditation.

(Respace with YouTube imbedded video or audio)

And to start where ever you are, standing or sitting, allow yourself to tune into he fact that you are breathing, the fact that you are alive.

• Connecting with at least one internal conscious breath, breathing in.

• And breathing out.

• And from that conscious connection with at least one breath, you can expand the field of your awareness to the entire body.

• Taking a moment to feel the entirety of the body.

• And in particular, a sense of groundedness, a connection with the floor or the chair.

• And then from this place of groundedness, making it the intention to carry this forward into the next moment, no matter what the activity is, a meeting, some other project that you’re working on, a phone call, whatever it is.

• Carrying the sense of wakefulness and groundedness into the next moment. 

• Did you notice any change? Did you become more self-aware?

When we practice Mindfulness we pay attention to ourselves and this observation inevitably changes us, we become more aware, more self-actualized. We unconsciously police ourselves, we have a natural instinct or desire to create a good impression, even if the observers is ourselves.

So that’s it for now, and if you'd like to subscribe to this channel go ahead and click on the subscribe button, and if you would like to support my work then you can download the audio version of “The Observer Effect and its Affect in Mindfulness” for a small supporters remuneration, links are in the description.

I’ve enjoyed sharing the Observer Effect with you, and I encourage you to explore and learn about yourself and to continue your journey, and If you have the time when let me know in the comments about your understanding of mindfulness and how the Observer Effect has changed your life.

And if you liked the article I would like to also take a moment to remind you to sign up to the newsletter if you would like to be notified when I release new content, and if you would like to support my work then you can download the podcast version for a small supporters remuneration, or you can purchase mediation audios and books from the web site.

Here’s to you and your fulfilment and growth into every tomorrow to come.

Letter of Support

Hello my friends, the patronage of regular followers is greatly appreciated and is the true spirit of mutual self-love… So, if you find any value or joy in the content, please consider becoming a Supporting Patron by downloading Podcasts for a small supporter’s remuneration or by purchasing Meditation audios or books from the Books & Meditation Audios page or by clicking the Supporters Link, and this one simple act makes a huge difference.

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Related posts:

How To Practice Mindfulness Everyday | How To Do Mindfulness Meditation: Different Approaches | Where Do Our Thoughts Come From | 5 Meditation Myths & 5 Meditation Facts | What is Rational Thinking: Rational Side of Awareness | Mindfulness Meditation Technique: 8 Tips For Staying Awake while Meditating | Seven Popular Meditations | Morning Gratitude Meditation: 10 minute guided morning meditation | Primordial Sound Meditation: Ah Meditation

References

// IMAGE S O U R C E:  // IMAGE S O U R C E:  Creator: Ryan Stefan, | Web link: https://unsplash.com/photos/5K98ScREEUY