Mindfulness Theory & Decision-Making | Harvard Insights

Understanding Mindfulness Theory and Decision-Making

Harvard psychology professor Ellen Langer pioneered research on:
- Mindfulness vs. mindlessness in daily choices
- How uncertainty awareness improves decision quality
- The illusion of control in human behavior

Her work spans 200+ research papers and 6 books, including Mindfulness and The Power of Mindful Learning.

Key Concepts in Langer’s Research

1. Active Mindfulness

   • Noticing subtle changes in environments
   • Avoiding automatic behaviors

2. Decision-Making Factors

   • How uncertainty impacts choices
   • Cognitive traps in routine thinking

3. Practical Applications

   • Aging with intentional awareness
   • Improving learning retention

Watch Langer’s Expert Talks

• Mindfulness Theory Lecture (Melbourne, 2011)
• General Mindfulness Principles (July 2011)

Why This Matters for Modern Psychology

Langer’s research proves that conscious awareness:
- Reduces decision fatigue
- Enhances problem-solving
- Combats cognitive decline

Tags: mindfulness theory, decision-making psychology, Ellen Langer Harvard, cognitive awareness, mindful learning