Sources & Updates

Every statistic in The Attention Advantage has a numbered endnote. Here is the full list, with titles and links, plus any updates since the book went to press.

Endnote numbers run through the whole book, from [1] to [149]. Later sections also reuse earlier notes, so a number keeps the same meaning wherever it appears.

Last checked: October 2026. Online data gets updated, so a figure may have changed since we checked it. If you spot a broken link or a newer figure, please tell us at hello@votexinsights.com.

Updates

  • Maldives Happiness Index (notes [11]–[15], [135]): a pilot was planned for 2026. We'll add the pilot's status and any first results here once they're officially published.

  • Gambling bill (notes [120], [121]): when the book was checked, the bill was still under review. We'll note any change here.

  • Note [147]: the National Drug Agency page we cited is currently unavailable. The 1410 helpline's launch is still documented by the President's Office (link below).

  • Help contacts (notes [145]–[148]): checked October 2026. Numbers and ministry names can change. In an emergency, call 911.

Full endnotes [1]–[149]

Section 1 · The Attention Crisis · notes [1]–[18]

Section 2 · Your Brain · notes [19]–[52]

Section 3 · The Attention Thieves · notes [53]–[82]

Section 4 · Attention Skills · notes [83]–[104]

  • [83] Lutz, A., Slagter, H.A., Dunne, J.D., & Davidson, R.J. (2008). Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 12(4), 163–169 · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2008.01.005

  • [84] Hasenkamp, W., Wilson-Mendenhall, C.D., Duncan, E., & Barsalou, L.W. (2012). Mind wandering and attention during focused meditation. NeuroImage, 59(1), 750–760 · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.07.008

  • [85] Mrazek, M.D., Franklin, M.S., Phillips, D.T., Baird, B., & Schooler, J.W. (2013). Mindfulness training improves working memory capacity and GRE performance while reducing mind wandering. Psychological Science, 24(5), 776–781 · https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612459659

  • [86] Kuyken, W., et al. (2022). Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of universal school-based mindfulness training compared with normal school provision (MYRIAD). Evidence-Based Mental Health, 25(3), 99–109 · https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2021-300396

  • [87] Balban, M.Y., et al. (2023). Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal. Cell Reports Medicine, 4(1), 100895 · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100895

  • [88] Zaccaro, A., et al. (2018). How breath-control can change your life: a systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 353 · https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

  • [89] Zeidan, F., et al. (2011). Brain mechanisms supporting the modulation of pain by mindfulness meditation. Journal of Neuroscience, 31(14), 5540–5548 · https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5791-10.2011

  • [90] Zeidan, F., et al. (2015). Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief employs different neural mechanisms than placebo and sham mindfulness meditation-induced analgesia. Journal of Neuroscience, 35(46), 15307–15325 · https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2542-15.2015

  • [91] Grant, J.A., Courtemanche, J., & Rainville, P. (2011). Pain, 152(1), 150–156 · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2010.10.006

  • [92] Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314 · https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302297

  • [93] Piff, P.K., Dietze, P., Feinberg, M., Stancato, D.M., & Keltner, D. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 883–899 · https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000018

  • [94] Stellar, J.E., et al. (2015). Positive affect and markers of inflammation: Discrete positive emotions predict lower levels of inflammatory cytokines. Emotion, 15(2), 129–133 · https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000033

  • [95] Stellar, J.E., et al. (2017). Self-transcendent emotions and their social functions. Emotion Review, 9(3), 200–207 · https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073916684557

  • [96] van Elk, M., Arciniegas Gomez, M.A., van der Zwaag, W., van Schie, H.T., & Sauter, D. (2019). The neural correlates of the awe experience: Reduced default mode network activity during feelings of awe. Human Brain Mapping, 40(12), 3561–3574 · https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.24616

  • [97] Sturm, V.E., et al. (2022). Big smile, small self: Awe walks promote prosocial positive emotions in older adults. Emotion, 22(5), 1044–1058 · https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000876

  • [98] Itzchakov, G., Kluger, A.N., & Castro, D.R. (2017). I am aware of my inconsistencies but can tolerate them: The effect of high quality listening on speakers' attitude ambivalence. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 43(1), 105–120 · https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167216675339

  • [99] Kluger, A.N., & Itzchakov, G. (2022). The power of listening at work. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 9, 121–146 · https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-012420-091013

  • [100] Dwyer, R.J., Kushlev, K., & Dunn, E.W. (2018). Smartphone use undermines enjoyment of face-to-face social interactions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 78, 233–239 · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2017.10.007

  • [101] Norton, M.I., & Gino, F. (2014). Rituals alleviate grieving for loved ones, lovers, and lotteries. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143(1), 266–272 · https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031772

  • [102] Hobson, N.M., Schroeder, J., Risen, J.L., Xygalatas, D., & Inzlicht, M. (2018). The psychology of rituals: An integrative review and process-based framework. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 22(3), 260–284 · https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868317734944

  • [103] Basso, J.C., McHale, A., Ende, V., Oberlin, D.J., & Suzuki, W.A. (2019). Brief, daily meditation enhances attention, memory, mood, and emotional regulation in non-experienced meditators. Behavioural Brain Research, 356, 208–220 · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.023

  • [104] Emmons, R.A., & McCullough, M.E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389 · https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377

Section 5 · From Distraction to Decision · notes [105]–[129]

Section 6 · The Maldives Opportunity · notes [130]–[135]

Section 7 · Your 5-Year Action Plan · notes [136]–[139]

  • [136] Locke, E.A., & Latham, G.P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705–717 · https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705

  • [137] King, L.A. (2001). The health benefits of writing about life goals. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27(7), 798–807 · https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167201277003

  • [138] Oettingen, G. (2012). Future thought and behaviour change. European Review of Social Psychology, 23(1), 1–63 · https://doi.org/10.1080/10463283.2011.643698

  • [139] Harkin, B., Webb, T.L., Chang, B.P.I., Prestwich, A., Conner, M., Kellar, I., Benn, Y., & Sheeran, P. (2016). Does monitoring goal progress promote goal attainment? A meta-analysis of the experimental evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 142(2), 198–229 · https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000025

Additional sources, including help contacts (used across the book) · notes [140]–[149]

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