The psychological function of out-of-body experiences. So who needs the out-of-body experience?

People who report out-of-body experiences (OBEs) tend to be especially attentive to their own mental processes, according to a review of diverse literature and a survey of students. The study used Murray's system of manifest needs to test several hypotheses. Only one hypothesis was supported: OBE reporters are concerned with their inner mental life. Unexpectedly, these individuals also showed low levels of need for achievement and need for deference. The authors conclude that much more research into psychological, parapsychological, and neurophysiological correlates is needed to develop a sophisticated theory of the OBE.

Study at a glance

Abstract

What psychological needs are served by the out-of-body experience (OBE)? On the basis of a review of the literature in rather diverse areas several hypotheses on this issue are formulated in terms of Murray's conceptual system of manifest needs. A simple survey of the need profiles of students reporting OBEs provides support for only one of the hypotheses, namely, that such individuals are concerned with and attentive to their mental processes. Unanticipated by the literature was the finding that people reporting OBEs exhibit low levels of need for achievement and need for deference. If a sophisticated theory of the OBE is to be developed much more research must be conducted into the psychological, parapsychological, and neurophysiological correlates of the phenomenon.