The psychological approach to out-of-body experiences: A review of early and modem developments
The Journal of Psychology 1992 DOI: 10.1080/00223980.1992.10543358 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Argues that psychological approaches to OBEs have evolved from early imaginal, telepathic, and psychodynamic explanations to more detailed empirical theories by Blackmore, Irwin, and Palmer, with research increasingly focusing on psychological correlates and influenced by parapsychology and the study of imagery and altered states. |
Abstract
This is a review of psychological approaches to out-of-body experiences (OBEs) since the 19th century. Some of the work discussed includes explanations of OBEs based on imaginal processes, telepathic hallucinations, and psychodynamic factors. Particularly important for their detail and empirical orientation are recent OBE theories of Blackmore, Irwin, and Palmer, and survey and experimental research examining psychological correlates of OBEs. The development of the psychological approach to OBE studies has been influenced by the field of parapsychology, and, particularly in recent times, by the interest in imagery and altered states of consciousness in psychology during the last three decades.
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- Out-of-body experiences: interpretations through the eyes of those who live them. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- Out of body experiences: Scoping review. Explore June 4, 2025
- Oscillatory brain mechanisms of the hypnotically-induced out-of-body experience. Cortex November 1, 2017
and 2 more in the library
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