Assessing Consciousness: The Consciousness Perception Questionnaire (CPQ)
Enrico DiTommaso, Frank Szeligo
Imagination Cognition and Personality June 1, 1995 DOI: 10.2190/jhnc-5q92-jmc0-4g6g (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scale development study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 894 |
| Population | Lay individuals (general population sample) |
| Measures | Consciousness Perception Questionnaire (CPQ), Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | The authors report that the Consciousness Perception Questionnaire is a multidimensional measure of lay perceptions of consciousness, with five distinct dimensions and subscale internal consistencies ranging from .56 to .89. Most subscales appeared relatively stable over time, and the measure showed moderate concurrent validity versus the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory. Normative data indicate significant individual variance on the five emergent dimensions. |
Abstract
The present work is based in a dichotomy that is evident in the literature on consciousness. Research findings, which are often ‘counter-intuitive,’ are presented as being in opposition to the common (lay) perceptions of how consciousness is characterized. Authors often use these perceptions for contrast and as background against which to interpret their research results. However, the source of these perceptions is left uncertain, though presumably they are based in the author's understanding of consciousness rather than in measurement. Two studies were conducted to develop a questionnaire that would more directly assess lay perceptions of consciousness. Questions were based on such perceptions as conscious unity and conscious control of behavior. Results from principal components analyses, based on a total sample of 894 participants, indicate that the Consciousness Perception Questionnaire (CPQ) is a multidimensional measure of individuals' perceptions of consciousness. Consciousness is characterized by five distinct dimensions: internal versus external control attributions, perceived awareness of the sources of experience, dynamism, preference for physical over mental activity, and similarity to other functions. The five subscales have internal consistencies ranging from' .56 to .89. Furthermore, results indicate that the majority of these subscales appear to measure relatively stable perceptions of consciousness over time. Findings also suggest that this measure displays moderate concurrent validity versus the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory [1]. Normative data indicate that there is significant individual variance on the five emergent dimensions.