Nov. 6th: Mindfulness Science

Question 1

What are two assumptions about mindfulness that are relevant to measurement?

Answer 1

1. People vary in the extent to which they are mindful in their day-to-day lives
2. Mindfulness is a trainable skill

Question 2

Define trait mindfulness and provide some examples of items that can be used to measure
it.

Answer 2

Trait Mindfulness: The extent to which people are mindful across situations

EX: Forgetting someone’s name right after being told it, driving on autopilot, not being aware of tasks, etc.

Mindful attantion awareness scale (MAAS)

Question 3

Define state mindfulness and provide some examples of how we measure it.

Answer 3

State Mindfulness: mindfulness in a given moment/situation

EX: Being curious about what you might learn about yourself by taking notice go how you react to certain stimuli, what your attention is drawn to, or just watching your experiences as they arise without trying to figure it out.

Toronto mindfulness scale

Question 4

Which type of mindfulness (trait or state) has more measures available?

Answer 4

Trait

Fewer scales of state mindfulness exist

Question 5

What are some issues and challenges with the measurement of mindfulness?

Answer 5

Scales can vary

Question 6

What contributes to variability in mindfulness measures?

Answer 6

• Scale variability can be due to different conceptual starting points; diversity in definitions leads to variation in measurement
• Can also vary due to iintended use and intended population

• Most measures tap into attention and/or awareness
• Some also tap into non-judgement and acceptance
• Some tap into self-regulation

Question 7

What recommendation has been offered for choosing a mindfulness measure?

Answer 7

Consider the background of a measure to see if it suits your purposes

Consider the:
* Goals of the research
* Population
* If its Trait or State
* Practical considerations like Time

Question 8

What theoretically-relevant outcomes do mindfulness measures predict?

(5)

Answer 8

• Mind wandering
• Lapses in attention
• Activation of relevant neurological brain centers
• Self-regulation
• Physiological outcomes (stress hormones)

Question 9

What might be problematic about people self-reporting their mindfulness?

Answer 9

• Different definitions of mindfulness
• Might lack an unerstanding of the concept

Question 10

What are some supplements to mindfulness measures that researchers are exploring?

(5)

Answer 10

• Behavioral
• Second person
• Observe behavior
• Ecological momentary assessments
• Neuro-imaging

Question 11

Define a behavioral suppliment to mindfulness measures.

Answer 11

Measures of mind-wandering

Was their mind wandering during the activity or were they present?

Question 12

Define a second person suppliment to mindfulness measures.

Answer 12

Probe about peoples’ subjective experience

How they felt physically and mentally during the experience

Question 13

Define how observe behavior is a suppliment to mindfulness measures.

Answer 13

Look for signs of mindfulness (subject tot self-presentation bias)

Calm steady breath during meditation, relaxed demeanor, etc.

Question 14

Define how ecological momentary assessments is a suppliment to mindfulness measures.

Answer 14

Capturing behavior as it happens

• In any given moment, participant may be asked how mindful they are being
• More real-world relevance

Question 15

Define how neuro-imaging is a suppliment to mindfulness measures.

Answer 15

Looking for brain activity or changes in brain structure/function in parts of the brain associated with mindfulness processes or outcomes

• Processes: attention, awareness
• Outcomes: Emotional regulation, impluse control

Question 16

Describe how a researcher may supplement mindfulness measurement through
ecological momentary assessment.

Answer 16

• At any given moment during his work day, John will be prompted to report how mindful he is as he teaches people how to skydive.

Question 17

Think about your mindfulness Friday experiences

When you consider state
mindfulness items, do you think they would do an accurate job of capturing your
experiences?

Items are like scale questions

Scale questions: Rate pain 1-5 with 5 being most pain ever

Answer 17

• Yes, state mindfulness items provide a deeper and more personal look into my thoughts and feelings during any given moment
• No, state mindfulness items are sometimes too vague to accurately capture my experiences.

Subjective

I personally think that state mindfulness items help capture the raw aspects (thoughts, feelings, more personal stuff) of a specific moment, and trait mindfulness is all moments clumped together into a whole experience (less personal, more generalized, for average person who doesnt know what mindfulness is).