Analysis of peak experiences reported by college students

Abstract

207Frankl is describing, (b) something different from the usual neuroses, and (c) a characteristic of psychopathological as distinguished from "normal" groups.The results of 225 subjects, comprising two nonpatient and three patient samples, consistently support the noogenic hypothesis: (a) The relationship between the scale and a questionnaire designed by Frankl to describe the factors involved in his concepts was high; (b) the relationship of the scale to an established measure of traditionally conceived psychopathology, the M MPI, was low; and (c) the scale significantly distinguished patient from nonpatient populations, showing a predicted progressive drop in scores to match the level of pathology assumed by the nature of the group.Further study of iioogenic neurosis by the Purpose i l l Life Test and other methods is needed in order to answer a number of questions which present data treat only partially, to define the dynamic properties which would make possible diagnostic isolation of this syndrome, and to determine the variables which affect it. The work reported herein is considered primarily heuristic and exploratory rather than definitive. REFERENCES 1. CRONBACH, 1,. J. nnd MEEHL, P. E. Construct validity in psychological teats. Peychol. Bull., 2. EBEL, R. L. Must all teuts be valid? Amer. Psycho 4. FRANKL. V. E. The will to meaning. J . pasha1 Care, 1958,ld, 82-88. 5. FRANKL, V. E. From death-camp to m'stentialim. Boston: Beacon he, 1959. 6. FRANKL, V. E. Beyond self-actualization and self-expression. J . ezistmt. Psych&., 1960, 1 , 7 . GARRETT, H. E. Slatiatica i n psychology and education (3rd 4.). Xew York: Longmane, Green 8. KOTCHEN, T. A. Existential mental health: an empirical approach. J . indiv. Psyehol., 1960, 9. 1955, 64 281302. at, 1961, 10,640-647. 3. FRANKL, V. E. Thedodorand fhesoul. New York: % red A. Knopf, 1955.

Physical Activity and Quality of Life: Key Considerations

“…The percentage of people who report peak experiences in general, and specifically in exercise, also is not clear. In one study of university students, only 3 of the 214 students tested did not report having a peak experience (Allen, Haupt, & Jones, 1964). Results of this study suggest that peak experiences are rather common.…”

Intense personal experiences: Subjective effects, interpretations, and after-effects

“…Consequently, it is not clear how frequently such experiences involve a shift in consciousness. While later empirical studies inspired by Maslow's work did not consider specifically the subjective effects of such experience, their results suggest that few of the respondents experienced profound shifts in consciousness (Allen, Haupt, & Jones, 1964;Hallaq, 1977;Thomas & Cooper, 1978). Maslow (1964) also acknowledged that "nadir" or intense negative experiences may be as psychologically important as peaks, but he provided no information about the subjective effects of such experiences.…”

Scaling and factor analyzing peak experience

“…The average educational level of the respondents was 14 years, about 1 year less than that of Allen's (1964) sample. Because of their youth, the Ss were expected to be somewhat lacking in peak experiences related to self-actualization and "full living."…”

“…This approach not only simplifies and facilitates data collection, but it would allow, if one so desired, examining the frequency of experiences that are not considered "perfect peaks," but, nevertheless, come very close to them. A second objective of this paper was motivated by the state- Allen (1964) to the effect that one can argue for combining some of Thorne's groupings. Factor analysis lends itself to the process of reducing the number of variables originally used, and the technique also provides some statistical insights into the classification of the original variables under major categories (factors) on the basis of the weights contributed by each variable to a particular factor.…”

“…Based on psychological interpretations, Thorne classified responses on peak experiences of normal Ss under several variables, which he then grouped within six major classifications. Allen, Haupt, and Jones (1964) utilized Thorne's classification and analyzed the responses of 214 college students. On the basis of some of their results, the researchers suggested that one may argue for combining some of Thorne's major groupings.…”