The Impact of Spiritual Practices on Neurocognitive Development: A Quantitative Study (KEY IJP************718)

• Sora Pazer

Abstract

This study examines the effects of regular spiritual practicesmeditation and prayeron cognitive functions such as concentration, clarity of thought, and perceived cognitive benefits. Using a quantitative approach, 101 participants aged 18-30 were divided into three groups: regular meditators, regular prayer practitioners, and a control group with no spiritual practice. Results show that both meditation and prayer significantly improve concentration and clarity of thought, with meditation yielding stronger effects. A strong positive correlation was found between the duration of spiritual practice and cognitive benefits, indicating that long-term practitioners experience greater improvements. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on the neurocognitive impacts of spiritual practices and suggest practical applications for enhancing cognitive performance in educational and therapeutic settings. However, the study also highlights limitations, including the reliance on self-reported data and the need for more diverse samples in future research.