My sample set is small, but I remain dubious about this study. Accomplished meditators are very rarely couch potatoes; they tackle things that need to tackled with calm, wisdom, and efficiency. True, motivations like "I don't want to yelled at.", or "I want more money.", or "I want to look good and smart to everybody." will go away or at least have less impact. But they are replaced by "How can I make this happier pl…
Although tour sample size is small, you are making the right conclusion out of it. If you don't meditate then you are trapped in the cycle of wanting confirmation and approval from others. After meditation you realise that it doesn't matter one bit what others think or say about you. Inner peace is all that matters.
I would argue that you should care what other people think about you if you're inclined towards selfish behavior or treating others poorly. Caring what others think would stop you from engaging in behavior that would result in you alienating yourself. Of course meditation should help you become more prosocial as well, but I don't think removing the need for confirmation/approval of others is going to help everyone.