Scientific Models and Symbolic Meanings in Altered States of Consciousness
Charles Winquist, David Winzenz
Journal of Drug Issues July 1, 1977 DOI: 10.1177/002204267700700303 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Key points | Argues that biopsychological models of consciousness and phenomenological theories of interpretation are complementary in explaining the religious significance of altered states. Two models are examined: one charting consciousness along a continuum of central nervous system arousal, and a discontinuous model using catastrophe theory to describe the behavior surface of hypohyperaroused physiological states. Both are correlated with symbolic functions in the determination of religious meaning. |
Abstract
This essay examines the complementary functions of biopsychology and phenomenology in the interpretation of the religious significance of altered states of consciousness. Two physiological models of consciousness are examined and correlated with phenomenological theories of interpretation. The first model charts consciousness along a continuum of central nervous system arousal. The second model is discontinuous and uses catastrophe theory from topology to describe the behavior surface of hypohyperaroused physiological states. Both models are correlated with descriptions of symbolic functions in the determination of religious meaning.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altered States of Consciousness | 1966 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Functional neuroanatomy of altered states of consciousness: The transient hypofrontality hypothesis | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Psychedelic Mystical Experience in the Human Encounter with Death | 1969 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Hypnotic phenomena and altered states of consciousness: a multilevel framework of description and explanation | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |