Validation of Different Forms of Present-Moment Awareness Using Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes

The recently developed Multidimensional Awareness Scale (MAS) consists of three subscales assessing individual differences in present-moment awareness of internal states (meta-awareness; MAS-MA), present-moment awareness of the external world (external awareness; MAS-EA), and in the adoption of a detached, observer perspective on one's current internal states (decentered awareness; MAS-DA). The present article examines whether the constructs identified during the development of the MAS manifest during behavioral laboratory tasks. Study 1 (N = 242) examined participants' memory for incidentally encountered external stimuli (criterion for external awareness) and reports of awareness of mind wandering during a lengthy vigilance task (criterion for meta-awareness), and Study 2 (N = 230) examined tolerance of a painful stimulus and concurrent and retrospective reports of pain (criteria for decentered awareness). Results supported the constructs of meta-awareness and decentered awareness and the corresponding validity of the MAS-MA and MAS-DA but incidental memory was not related to MAS-EA. Findings generally remained after controlling for previously established measures of mindfulness or decentering. Results are discussed with respect to theory on awareness-related concepts and potential uses of the MAS subscales.