Intensity and memory characteristics of near-death experiences

[en] Memories of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) seem to be very detailed and stable over time. At present, there is still no satisfactory explanation for the NDEs’ rich phenomenology. Here we compared phenomenological characteristics of NDE memories with the reported experience’s intensity. We included 152 individuals with a self-reported “classical” NDE (i.e. occurring in life-threatening conditions). All participants completed a mailed questionnaire that included a measure of phenomenological characteristics of memories (the Memory Characteristics Questionnaire; MCQ) and a measure of NDE’s intensity (the Greyson NDE scale). Greyson NDE scale total score was positively correlated with MCQ total score, suggesting that participants who described more intense NDEs also reported more phenomenological memory characteristics of NDE. Using MCQ items, our study also showed that NDE’s intensity is associated in particular with sensory details, personal importance and reactivation frequency variables.

Research Center/Unit :

GIGA-Consciousness-Coma Science Group; CHU de Liège - Centre du Cerveau²

Disciplines :

Theoretical & cognitive psychology

Author, co-author :

Martial, Charlotte ; Université de Liège > GIGA-Consciousness-Coma Science Group ; CHU de Liège - Centre du Cerveau²

Charland-Verville, Vanessa ; Université de Liège > Centre de recherches du cyclotron

Cassol, Helena ; Université de Liège > GIGA : Coma Group

Didone, Vincent ; Université de Liège > Département de Psychologie > Psychologie quantitative

Van der Linden, Martial ; Université de Liège > Département de Psychologie > Département de Psychologie

Laureys, Steven ; Université de Liège > GIGA-Consciousness-Coma Science Group ; CHU de Liège - Centre du Cerveau²

Language :

English

Title :

Intensity and memory characteristics of near-death experiences

Publication date :

2017

Journal title :

Consciousness and Cognition

ISSN :

1053-8100

eISSN :

1090-2376

Publisher :

Academic Press, San Diego, United States - California

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 14 September 2017

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