Development of a vulgarity scale based on Ortega's "The revolt of the masses"

Abstract

This study developed a scale measuring the spiritual vulgarity of the masses, based upon Ortega's "The revolt of the masses" (1957). A questionnaire was constructed with forty items, based on Ortega's descriptions of the characteristics of the spiritual vulgarity of the masses. The questionnaire was completed by 200 university students. The results of factor analysis of the vulgarity measurements yielded two subscales; autistic attitude and contumelious attitude. The two scales were correlated with other existing measures of social values, which was further evidence of validity.