Relative right temporal-lobe theta activity correlates with Vingiano's hemispheric quotient and the "sensed presence".
C Munro, M A Persinger
Perceptual and Motor Skills December 1, 1992 DOI: 10.2466/pms.1992.75.3.899 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational correlational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Human participants undergoing partial sensory deprivation during EEG recordings |
| Measures | Vingiano hemisphericity scale |
| Keywords | Temporal lobe Humans Diplopia Alpha rhythm Theta rhythm Self concept Adolescent Adult Female Functional laterality |
| Key findings | Right-hemisphericity scores correlated positively (rho = .49) with relative right/left temporal-lobe theta activity but not with relative alpha activity. Right hemisphericity also intercorrelated with a history of ego-alien intrusions and with reports of a sensed presence, "detachment from the body," and fear during recordings. The authors argue these results support the hypothesis that such mystical experiences are encouraged by hemispheric mismatch in temporal-lobe theta activity. |
Abstract
Measures of monopolar alpha and theta rhythm activity over the left and right temporal lobes were correlated with the subjects' hemisphericity (Vingiano) scores, temporal lobe signs, and concurrent subjective experiences during partial sensory deprivation. There was a positive association (rho = .49) between the scores for right hemisphericity and the relative amount of right/left theta rhythm but not right/left alpha rhythm activity. Significant intercorrelations between right hemisphericity, an history of ego-alien intrusions and experiences of a sensed presence, "detachment from the body," and fear during the recordings were noted. These results support the hypothesis that this class of mystical experiences is encouraged by hemispheric mismatch in temporal-lobe theta activity.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Vectorial Cerebral Hemisphericity as Differential Sources for the Sensed Presence, Mystical Experiences and Religious Conversions Perceptual and Motor Skills June 1, 1993
- Enhanced Incidence of “The Sensed Presence” in People Who Have Learned to Meditate: Support for the Right Hemispheric Intrusion Hypothesis Perceptual and Motor Skills December 1, 1992
- Methodological guidelines to investigate altered states of consciousness and anomalous experiences International Review of Psychiatry February 17, 2017
- Right hemisphericity, low self-esteem, and unusual experiences: a response to Vingiano. Perceptual and Motor Skills October 1992
Cites 2
- Religious and Mystical Experiences as Artifacts of Temporal Lobe Function: A General Hypothesis Perceptual and Motor Skills December 1, 1983
- The feeling of a presence and verbal meaningfulness in context of temporal lobe function: factor analytic verification of the muses? Brain and Cognition November 1, 1992