Abstract
This study aimed to develop a measure of overexcitability (OE) - tendency to react intensely and sensitively to stimuli - and obtain validity evidences based on the content and internal structure of this measure. For this, two phases of research were necessary. In the first phase, which details the construction of Overexcitability Scales (OS), analysis by judges (N=9) and pilot application (N=18) were performed. Elementary school students (N=263) participated in the second phase to verify the psychometric properties of the instrument. A set of five scales that assess five OE patterns (Psychomotor, Sensual, Imaginative, Intellectual and Emotional) was obtained. There was high correlation among the judges and the pilot application was successful. The internal consistency values of the scales were considered adequate. Most items showed acceptable item-total correlation. Multidimensional structures were observed in Psychomotor, Sensual, and Emotional patterns in the confirmatory factor analyzes. Good indexes of adjustment to the models tested were obtained. These results constitute validity evidence based on content and internal structure to the OS. Therefore, the measure has appropriate initial psychometric properties.
Overexcitability; giftedness; Psychometry; measure