Does ASMR propensity reflect a mentally flexible mindset? Exploring the relationship between ASMR propensity, transliminality, emotional contagion, schizotypal traits, roleplaying ability, and creativity.
Kayley L Zielinski-Nicolson, Natalie Roberts, Simon Boag
Consciousness and Cognition August 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2023.103546 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 376 |
| Population | Undergraduate students |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Keywords | Cognitive mechanisms Cognitive styles Imagination |
| Key findings | Transliminality, emotional contagion susceptibility, positive schizotypal traits, and roleplaying ability significantly positively predicted ASMR propensity, while an overall mentally flexible cognitive style did not. |
Abstract
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is an alternative state of consciousness characterised by changes in affect, feelings of relaxation, and tingling sensations on the body. Online videos designed to stimulate ASMR in viewers have become increasingly popular. Although there is evidence that ASMR may improve sleep, emotion regulation, and relaxation, the current understanding of ASMR propensity remains limited. This study examined whether a mentally flexible cognitive style may underlie the ability to experience ASMR. Undergraduate students (N = 376) completed an online survey involving a series of self-report questionnaires and two performance-based creative ability tasks. Findings did not provide support for an overall mentally flexible mindset, however, transliminality, emotional contagion susceptibility, positive schizotypal traits, and roleplaying ability all significantly positively predicted ASMR propensity. These findings suggest that ASMR propensity represents several possible underlying cognitive styles relating to enhanced imagination and perceptual ability, and cannot be simply characterised by mental flexibility.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science Meditators | 2018 | Cross-sectional online survey | n = 1,120 |
| Altered states of consciousness and hypnosis in the twenty-first century | 2005 | Survey and commentary | |
| Naturalistic use of psychedelics is related to emotional reactivity and self-consciousness: The mediating role of ego-dissolution and mystical experiences Adults with varying histories of psychoactive substance use, including 1661... | 2022 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 2,516 |
| Salvia divinorum use and phenomenology: results from an online survey. Recent users of Salvia divinorum | 2011 | Survey | n = 154 |
| Examination of the Phenomenology of the Ibogaine Treatment Experience: Role of Altered States of Consciousness and Psychedelic Experiences. Individuals who used ibogaine in the past | 2017 | Retrospective survey | n = 27 |
Citations in the library
Cites 12
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness. Psychological Bulletin 2005
- Personality and dreaming: Boundary structure and dream content. Dreaming March 1, 1998
- Reality shifting: psychological features of an emergent online daydreaming culture. Current Psychology October 30, 2021
- The Consciousness State of Traditional Nidrâ Yoga/Modern Yoga Nidra: Phenomenological Characterization and Preliminary Insights from an EEG Study. International Journal of Yoga Therapy 2021
and 7 more in the library