Measuring hagioptasia: A case study in theory-testing through Internet-based personality scale development

Abstract

This article is presented as a case study illustrating the interplay between theory-testing, personality scale development, and construct validation. A new construct, hagioptasia, is proposed and scale development and initial construct validity research are described. Hagioptasia is conceptualized as a tendency to perceive certain persons and places are preternaturally “special” and as a desire to participate in that otherworldly specialness when, objectively, there is really nothing unearthly about the person or situation. Item and factor analyses support a general construct of hagioptasia with two subthemes: (1) attraction to glamourous, famous persons and a desire for similar achievement and recognition and (2) an aesthetic sense of wonder and transcendence. Items assessing these two subthemes correlated with a short measure of Enterprising and Artistic vocational interests, respectively. While the theory of hagioptasia and the validity of a hagioptasia scale received some support through associations with age, gender, educational level, and religious orientation, difficulties were noted with reverse-scored items and with assessing hagioptasia as an illusory or purely imaginary perception of specialness. Directions for future scale development and theory-testing are discussed.