Examen Studies

The science and scholarship supporting the Examen

These are a few scholarly articles that either discuss the Examen or provide empirical support for its use in our research.

Mindfulness

Dominguez, E., Casagrande, M., & Raffone, A. (2022). Autobiographical memory and mindfulness: A critical review with a systematic search. Mindfulness, 13(7), 1614–1651. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01902-x

Psychological Distancing

Powers, J. P., & LaBar, K. S. (2019). Regulating emotion through distancing: A taxonomy, neurocognitive model, and supporting meta-analysis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 96, 155–173. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.04.023

Gratitude

Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. A. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 890–905. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005

Mental Time Travel

Addis, D. R. (2020). Mental time travel? A neurocognitive model of event simulation. Review of Philosophy and Psychology, 11(2), 233–259. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1007/s13164-020-00470-0

Barry, T. J., Sze, W. Y., & Raes, F. (2019). A meta-analysis and systematic review of Memory Specificity Training (MeST) in the treatment of emotional disorders. Behavior Research and Therapy, 116, 36–51. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1016/j.brat.2019.02.001

Suddendorf, T., & Corballis, M. C. (2007). The evolution of foresight: What is mental time travel, and is it unique to humans? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 30(3), 299–313. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1017/S0140525X07001975

Self-Conscious Emotions and Prosocial Behavior

van Kleef, G. A., & Lelieveld, G.-J. (2022). Moving the self and others to do good: The emotional underpinnings of prosocial behavior. Current Opinion in Psychology, 44, 80–88. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.029

Arguments for Using the Examen in Clinical Practice

Plante, T. G. (2020). St Ignatius as psychotherapist? How Jesuit spirituality and wisdom can enhance psychotherapy. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 7(1), 65–71. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1037/scp0000214

Plante, T. G. (2021). Using the examen, a jesuit prayer, in spiritually integrated and secular psychotherapy. Pastoral Psychology. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1007/s11089-021-00967-0

Want to try the Examen?

Below are some popular resources that our lab has used to develop the version of the Examen used in our research:

Books:

Manney, J. (2011). A Simple Life-Changing Prayer: Discovering the Power of St Ignatius Loyola's Examen. Loyola Press.

Martin, J. (2012). The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life. HarperOne.

Martin, J. (2021). Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone. HarperOne.

Thibedeoux, M.E. (2015). Reimagining the Ignatian Examen: Fresh Ways to Pray from Your Day. Loyola Press.

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