Trait phenomenological control predicts belief-reinforcing unusual experiences
Peter Lush, Ryan Bradley Scott, Max Lovell, Zoltan Dienes
PsyArXiv July 21, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/zjnhw_v2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preregistered cross-sectional study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 497 |
| Population | Adults in a large sample, recruited for a preregistered study |
| Measures | Phenomenological Control Scale (PCS) |
| Key findings | Reports of past-life experiences, out-of-body experiences, contact with incorporeal beings, and related beliefs were positively related to Phenomenological Control Scale scores, with small intercepts, whereas flow experiences showed weaker relationships with larger intercepts. The relationship between phenomenological control and belief in a spirit world was partially mediated by the tendency to have related unusual experiences. The authors argue this supports the theory that phenomenological control evolved to support and take advantage of a community's spiritual beliefs. |
Abstract
Phenomenological control is the stable trait ability to alter subjective experience according to one’s goals. Although voluntary, experiences arising from phenomenological control are experienced as involuntary and may be incorrectly attributed to external causes. Such experiences may influence related beliefs about the world. In a large sample preregistered study (n = 497), we tested predictions arising from the theory that this ability evolved to promote experiences of a spirit world in order to support religious beliefs. Reports of three types of unusual experience and associated beliefs were measured: of past lives, of being outside one’s body and of contact with incorporeal beings. Demand effects were minimised by the presentation of measures in separate procedures, run by multiple researchers. Consistent with predictions, linear regression of reports of both these unusual experiences and of their related beliefs on Phenomenological Control Scale (PCS) scores showed positive relationships with small intercepts. These results are contrasted with weaker relationships with large intercepts for regression on PCS scores of flow experience reports, which are not posited to depend on phenomenological control. Finally, the relationship between phenomenological control and belief in a spirit world was partially mediated by the tendency to have related unusual experiences. These results are consistent with the theory that paranormal experiences of a spirit world depend on phenomenological control, and that these experiences support belief in a spirit world; corroboration of these predictions in turn supports the theory that phenomenological control evolved to support and take advantage of the spiritual beliefs of a community.