Seeking of Noetic Goals Test

Citation: Crumbaugh, J. C. (1977). The seeking of noetic goals test (SONG): A complementary scale to the purpose in life test (PIL). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 33(3), 900-907.

PMID or DOI: PMID: 893732

Main positive psychological well-being construct measured: Purpose in life

Sub-constructs measured: N/A

Available subscales: N/A

Description: SONG seeks to evaluate the perceived need to search for and the strength of motivation to find purpose in life.

Example of statement/item: “I think about the ultimate meaning of life.”

Response options: 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 7, 1,“Never” and 7“Constantly”.

Total score: Items are summed, yielding a range from 20 to 140. Higher scores indicate greater levels of purpose in life.

Examples of studies:
1. Roos, C.R., et al., Examining temptation to drink from an existential perspective: Associations among temptation, purpose in life, and drinking outcomes. Psychol Addict Behav, 2015. 29(3): p. 716-24.

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