Ego Boundaries, Shamanic‐Like Techniques, and Subjective Experience: An Experimental Study
Adam J. Rock, Jessica Wilson, Luke Johnston, Janelle Veronica Levesque
Anthropology of Consciousness May 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-3537.2008.00003.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 43 |
| Population | Non-shamans |
| Duration | 15-minute session |
| Measures | Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), Profile of Mood States-Short Form, Short Boundary Questionnaire (BQ-Sh) |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key findings | Shamanic-like techniques produced significant differences in visual imagery, attention, rationality, imagery amount, and absorption compared to sitting quietly, but did not induce a major altered state of consciousness. One shamanic-like condition and ego boundary subscales (need for order, childlikeness, sensitivity) predicted total mood disturbance. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT The subjective effects and therapeutic potential of the shamanic practice of journeying is well known. However, previous research has neglected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the subjective effects of shamanic‐like journeying techniques on non‐shamans. Shamanic‐like techniques are those that demonstrate some similarity to shamanic practices and yet deviate from what may genuinely be considered shamanism. Furthermore, the personality traits that influence individual susceptibility to shamanic‐like techniques are unclear. The aim of the present study was, thus, to investigate experimentally the effect of shamanic‐like techniques and a personality trait referred to as “ego boundaries” on subjective experience including mood disturbance. Forty‐three non‐shamans were administered a composite questionnaire consisting of demographic items and a measure of ego boundaries (i.e., the Short Boundary Questionnaire; BQ‐Sh). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: listening to monotonous drumming for 15 minutes coupled with one of two sets of journeying instructions; or sitting quietly with eyes closed for 15 minutes. Participants' subjective experience and mood disturbance were retrospectively assessed using the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) and the Profile of Mood States‐Short Form, respectively. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between conditions with regard to the PCI major dimensions of visual imagery, attention and rationality, and minor dimensions of imagery amount and absorption. However, the shamanic‐like conditions were not associated with a major reorganization of the pattern of subjective experience compared to the sitting quietly condition, suggesting that what is typically referred to as an altered state of consciousness effect was not evident. One shamanic‐like condition and the BQ‐Sh subscales need for order, childlikeness, and sensitivity were statistically significant predictors of total mood disturbance. Implications of the findings for the anthropology of consciousness are also considered.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shamanic Imagery and Ritual Experience: An Empirical Study of Emotions, Beliefs, and States of Consciousness Participants recruited for a shamanic ritual experiment | 2025 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 30 |
| Trait absorption, altered meaning, and mood disturbance during shamanic-like journeying: Moderator and indirect effects analyses Non-shamans | 2009 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 61 |
| Experimental Study of Ostensibly Shamanic Journeying Imagery in Naïve Participants II: Phenomenological Mapping and Modified Affect Bridge Naive participants | 2006 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 68 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Altered States During Shamanic Drumming: A Phenomenological Study International Journal of Transpersonal Studies July 1, 2010
- Reply to Wagstaff: “Hypnosis and the Relationship between Trance, Suggestion, Expectancy, and Depth: Some Semantic and Conceptual Issues” American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 2011
- States of Consciousness and Ego States International Journal of Transactional Analysis Research & Practice December 31, 2023
- Trait absorption, altered meaning, and mood disturbance during shamanic-like journeying: Moderator and indirect effects analyses Transpersonal Psychology Review 2009
Cites 5
- Shamanism and Altered States of Consciousness: An Introduction Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 1989
- Phenomenological Analysis of Experimentally Induced Visual Mental Imagery Associated with Shamanic Journeying to the Lower World International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2006
- Experimental Study of Ostensibly Shamanic Journeying Imagery in Naïve Participants II: Phenomenological Mapping and Modified Affect Bridge Anthropology of Consciousness March 1, 2006
- Measurement of Phenomenological Experience: Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory Perceptual and Motor Skills October 1, 1986
- Individual differences in phenomenological experience: states of consciousness as a function of absorption. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1985