NMI Preliminary Technical Manual

The Numinous Motivation Inventory (NMI) is a second generation measure of spiritual dynamics. Based on developments obtained from research with the ASPIRES and the development of a psychologically-based ontological model of spirituality, the NMI sought to solidify this knowledge in a new instrument. The numinous represents those uniquely human psychological dynamics that make religion and spirituality so important to our species. Arising out of our neocortex, that part of our brain that provides us with seemingly unlimited intellectual skills, the numinous captures those dynamics that address the existential issues that confront all humans. Humans can think creatively, abstractly, and insightfully, enabling us to not only understand the universe but to be able to manipulate it in ways that suit our needs. This ability to experience the world in unique ways also creates an internal psychological space that concerns our place and role in the universe as we understand it. How we fit in, our purpose, and our sense of goodness are elements of the numinous. The numinous is a universal psychological quality relevant for understanding the psychic life of all people. Like the ASPIRES, it is capturing the sixth dimension of personality so complements information from the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality. As a next generation measure, its scores also complement and extend those from the ASPIRES.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Provides normative information for both the self-report and observer-rating versions. Information on how to score the scale and to convert raw scores to T-scores having a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10 are provided. The transformation process will also adjust scores for age and gender effects.
• The use of separate norms for the self and observer versions allows for direct comparisons of scores for the same person across the two instruments.
• The manual contains several SPSS-based programs users can employ for rapid scoring of large data sets as well as for conducting tests of the structural validity of the scales.
• The manual provides suggested research methods for using the NMI scales to their fullest effect.

Licensing agreements are possible for using the ASPIRES scales in online surveys. Contact Dr. Ralph Piedmont for information.

RELATED MATERIALS

Piedmont, R. L., & Wilkins, T. A. (2020). Understanding the psychological soul of spirituality: A guidebook for research and practice. New York, NY; Routledge.

This volume provides a detailed presentation of the ontological model that underlies the Numinous constructs assessed by this scale. Also included is a discussion on the development and application of the NMI as well as a clinical case example that includes this scale and outlines its utility in the treatment process. This volume can be purchased on this web site.