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Effects and classification of peak experiences.

P Ebersole

Psychological Reports April 1, 1972 DOI: 10.2466/pr0.1972.30.2.631 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 78
Population College students
Topics Mystical experience
Keywords Humans Attitude Personal satisfaction Emotions Affect Euphoria Happiness Love Personality Self concept
Key findings Of 83 peak-experience accounts submitted by 78 college students, 55% appeared to record no lasting effects, which the author says supports Maslow's later view that peak experiences may yield nothing beyond transitory pleasure. The types of peaks reported were also compared with an earlier study.

Abstract

Maslow has presented two differing views related to the effects of peak experiences. He first stated that they inevitably had lasting effects but later maintained that peaks may produce no positive benefits beyond the transitory effects of pleasure during the experience itself. From a sample of 83 peaks submitted by 78 college students, 55% of the protocols seemed to record no lasting effects, thus supporting Maslow's later position. In addition, the type of peaks obtained was contrasted with those of an earlier study.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on mystical experience, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The nature of peak experience in wilderness. Participants who had visited wilderness areas in Victoria, Australia, recruited via a... 2009 Qualitative study n = 39
Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions Individuals with extensive experience administering psilocybin or psilocybin-containing... 2017 Survey and qualitative/quantitative analysis n = 10
Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis. Participants recruited from seven online communities, median age 33, 81% male 2020 Mixed methods (qualitative interviews and quantitative survey) n = 319
Clarifying and measuring the characteristics of experiences that involve a loss of self or a dissolution of its boundaries. Adults who reported an experience involving dissolution of self-boundaries or loss of... 2024 Cross-sectional survey with confirmatory factor analysis and qualitative thematic analysis n = 386
The developmental impact of not integrating childhood peak experiences Adults recalling their childhood peak experiences 2007 Qualitative study n = 12

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