Five minutes after death: A study of beliefs and expectations.
Journal of Near-Death Studies 1990 DOI: 10.17514/jnds-1990-9-2-p77-90 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 508 |
| Population | A sample of 508 people |
| Key findings | A substantial minority of the 508 respondents believed they would experience the main elements of the near-death experience after death, and these elements were cited more frequently than Biblical images. Six percent expected postmortem survival to be a negative and disturbing experience. The authors discuss implications for survey methodology and for understanding negative NDEs. |
Abstract
Abstract: This paper examines the beliefs and expectations that a sample of 508 people hold about the first five minutes after death. A substantial minority believed that they will experience the main elements of the near-death experience (NDE). In general these elements were cited more frequently than were Biblical images. Six percent of the sample said that postmortem survival for them will be a negative and disturbing experience. We discuss these results in terms of their methodological implications for other survey work and their theoretical contribution toward our understanding of negative NDEs.