Abstract
Noetic experiences, which often transcend conventional perceptions of space and time, are universal, although research investigating them is scant. The Noetic Signature Inventory (NSI) is a validated 44-item self-report questionnaire that measures an individual’s unique noetic signature or how an individual receives inner wisdom or intuitive information. Using data from 3,884 participants, the current study evaluated NSI norms, clustered patterns across its 12 factors, and examined whether individuals fell into noetic types. Means, standard deviation, and standard errors were calculated by demographic categories for norms. Results showed higher factor means for participants who identified as female than male and those who identified with multiple ethnicities rather than one ethnicity. The correlational structure among the 12 NSI factors was explored with correlation Principal Component Analysis, followed by clustering techniques to reveal the optimal configuration to reduce the 12 factors into fewer super-factors. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was then used to compare the model fit of the original 12 factors versus the proposed super-factors, which supported the original model. Clustering methods used to evaluate noetic types revealed high variability on the Dreams factor, even after accounting for overall noetic score differences (high, mid, low). Future investigations with diverse populations are essential for further exploring these findings. The NSI holds promise as a tool in education, career development, and mental health fields, with the potential to destigmatize noetic experiences.
