Peak Experiences: Some Empirical Tests
Journal of Humanistic Psychology July 1, 1978 DOI: 10.1177/002216787801800307 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Random sample of adults in the San Francisco Bay Area |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Citations | 85 |
| Key findings | People who have had peak experiences (peakers) report greater life meaning, meditate more, and value social contribution over material wealth, consistent with Maslow's concept of self-actualization. |
Abstract
This article presents evidence from a random sample survey of the San Franciscio Bay Area on some of the differences between people who claim to have had intense peak experiences and people who have not had such experiences. The data indicate that most people have had some kind of peak experience, but some people seem clearly to be more oriented toward "peaking" than others. Peakers tend more often than nonpeakers to say their lives are very meaningful, that they think about the meaning and purpose of life and feel they know what the purpose of life is, and that they spend time meditating. They also score higher on self-rated adjectives concerning personal talents and capabilities. In other words, the data seems consistent with Maslow's suggestion that peaking may be associated with self-actualization. The data also tends to support some of Maslow's assertions about the possible effects of peak experiences on values. In particular, peakers are less likely than nonpeakers to say they value material possessions, high pay, job security, being famous, and having a lot of friends. They are more likely, however, to say they value working for social changes, helping to solve social problems, and helping people in need. These differences do not seem to be attributable merely to other differences between peakers and nonpeakers, such as differences in education, age, employment, sex, or marital status.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on mystical experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Of Roots and Fruits: A Comparison of Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic Mystical Experiences Self-selected participants who reported a religious, spiritual, or mystical experience | 2016 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 739 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |
| Peak Experience Tendencies | 1982 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| Rhythmic Chanting and Mystical States across Traditions. Regular chanters across 33 countries | 2021 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 464 |
| Mystical experiences associated with seizures Patients with epilepsy | 2014 | Cross-sectional study | n = 98 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- The Varieties of Self-Transcendent Experience Review of General Psychology May 1, 2017
- The nature of peak experience in wilderness. The Humanistic Psychologist October 1, 2009
- The transpersonal dimensions of ecopsychology: Nature, nonduality, and spiritual practice. The Humanistic Psychologist 1998
- Peak Experience Tendencies Journal of Humanistic Psychology July 1, 1982
- Reasons for Not Reporting Peak Experiences Journal of Humanistic Psychology 1991
and 9 more in the library