The Noetic Signature Inventory: Development, Exploration, and Initial Validation
Helané Wahbeh, Nina Fry, Paolo Speirn
Frontiers in Psychology June 15, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.838582 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scale development and validation Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 521 |
| Population | Self-selected research participants |
| Keywords | Convergent validity Construct validity Perception Embodied cognition Affect linguistics Construct python library Meaning existential Consistency knowledge bases Test biology Population Internal consistency Cognitive psychology Developmental psychology Psychometrics Communication Epistemology Artificial intelligence |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key points | The Noetic Signature Inventory (NSI) is a reliable and valid 44-item, 12-factor measure of noetic experiences. |
Abstract
Noetic comes from the Greek word noēsis, meaning inner wisdom or direct knowing. Noetic experiences often transcend the perception of our five senses and are ubiquitous worldwide, although no instrument exists to evaluate noetic characteristics both within and between individuals. We developed the Noetic Signature Inventory (NSI) through an iterative qualitative and statistical process as a tool to subjectively assess noetic characteristics. Study 1 developed and evaluated a 175-item NSI using 521 self-selected research participants, resulting in a 46-item NSI with an 11-factor model solution. Study 2 examined the 11-factor solution, construct validity, and test-retest reliability, resulting in a 44-item NSI with a 12-factor model solution. Study 3 confirmed the final 44-item NSI in a diverse population. The 12-factors were: (1) Inner Knowing, (2) Embodied Sensations, (3) Visualizing to Access or Affect, (4) Inner Knowing Through Touch, (5) Healing, (6) Knowing the Future, (7) Physical Sensations from Other People, (8) Knowing Yourself, (9) Knowing Other's Minds, (10) Apparent Communication with Non-physical Beings, (11) Knowing Through Dreams, and (12) Inner Voice. The NSI demonstrated internal consistency, convergent and divergent content validity, and test-retest reliability. The NSI can be used for the future studies to evaluate intra- and inter-individual variation of noetic experiences.