Acceso usuarios
Carlos S. Alvarado
A review is presented of research findings of surveys studies of out-of-body-experiences (OBEs) that have explored diverse psychological correlates. The paper covers personality (e.g. extreversion, danger seeking, neuroticism), cognitive (e.g. control and manipulation of imagery, absorption, fantasy proneness) and other variables (e.g. lucid dreaming, practice of meditation, dream recall frequency). The studies point towards the following trends: (1) absence of consistent relationship between OBEs and psychopathological and adjustment variables; (2) lack of relationship with cognitive variables like imagery vividness and control, but significant positive relationship with absorption and fantasy proneness; and (3) possitive correlations with vivid and lucid dreams, and mystical experiences. Correlations with lucid dreaming, absorption, and fantasy proneness may suggest that cognitive processes are related to OBEs. It is argued that further research is needed that follows the predictions of diverse theories and explains the significance ofthe patterns and contradictions in the studies reviewed.
