Mystical Experience in the Lab
Marc Malmdorf Andersen, Uffe Schjoedt, Kristoffer Laigaard Nielbo, Jesper Sørensen
Method & Theory in the Study of Religion September 4, 2014 DOI: 10.1163/15700682-12341323 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Duration | Three-month follow-up |
| Topics | Mysticism Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Attribution Epistemology Cognitive psychology Theology |
| Citations | 73 |
| Key findings | An experimental paradigm can elicit mystical experiences in the laboratory that participants report as authentic and having lasting effects. |
Abstract
We review previous attempts to study mystical experience and point to problems inherent to certain methodologies. Focusing on studies that use controlled environments we advocate taking an experimental approach to mysticism. To demonstrate the viability of this approach, we report findings from a new study that probes the potential for eliciting mystical experiences in the laboratory. We find that our experimental paradigm is indeed enough to elicit mystical experiences. Based on subjective ratings of experience, rich descriptions from interviews, and data obtained three months after the study, our data indicate that the experiences reported by the participants had a high degree of authenticity and had lasting effects in terms of memory and attribution. These findings demonstrate that at least some forms of mystical experience can be studied in a controlled environment. Prospects and limitations for the experimental approach to mysticism are discussed.