Hyperopia Scale
HYPAn overall aversion to indulgence or luxury — a tendency to forgo pleasurable or hedonic options in favour of virtuous or prudent alternatives. Hyperopic consumers have difficulty allowing themselves to enjoy life's pleasures and experience retrospective regret about missed opportunities. Conceptually distinct from self-control, frugality, and tightwad tendencies.
6 items
2008
α 0.86–0.90
Free
Haws, K.L. & Poynor, C.
What it measures
Captures the tendency for consumers to be excessively future-oriented and self-denying — leading to under-indulgence and subsequent regret. Unlike self-control (which prevents harmful behaviour), hyperopia prevents even guilt-free pleasures. Validated as distinct from self-control, frugality, materialism, tightwad propensity, conscientiousness, and impulsive buying. Test-retest reliability: r=0.80 over 2 weeks. No gender or age effects.
Representative items
- I often fail to enjoy attractive opportunities.
- It's hard for me to make myself indulge.
- I regret missed opportunities to enjoy rich experiences in the past.
- I have difficulty pampering myself.
- 'Seizing the day' is difficult for me.
Citation
Haws, K.L., & Poynor, C. (2008). Seize the day! Encouraging indulgence for the hyperopic consumer. Journal of Consumer Research, 35(4), 680–691.