What is the Mindful Awareness Awareness Scale?
Research that led to the MAAS examined mindfulness as a characteristic that differs between people (Brown and Ryan, 2003). Attention and awareness to current events and experiences vary between people. Individuals have different levels of self-regulation and discipline. This can affect their inherent ability.
The MAAS measures individual differences in frequency and duration of mindful states. This questionnaire measures dispositional mindfulness (or trait) and is composed of 15 items (11-6 Likert scale). The MAAS measures consciousness in self-regulation and other areas of well-being.
It is a common trait that certain individuals are better at mindfulness than others. The willingness to practice mindfulness is variable, it is suggested. It is possible to improve your ability to focus on your internal radar.
This scale is based on the belief that all people have an “radar” for both internal and external experience. The ability to focus on that awareness, which is called attention, is the key to consciousness. Mindfulness refers to increased awareness and attention to the current moment or experience.
To keep dispositional mindfulness neutral, this scale excludes mood, attitude and motivation. The MAAS measures one’s ability to be mindful or forgetful. The MAAS scores strongly correlate with self consciousness, self-reflection, and rumination.
Higher mindfulness scores are associated with higher levels of positive affect, self-esteem, optimism and self-actualization. Also, mindfulness scores are higher and have lower levels of neuroticism. Anxiety, depression, and other unpleasant affects.
A person who is more inclined to practice mindfulness actively will usually meet some of the basic human needs, such as autonomy, relationship, and competence.
