Individuals Who Report Being Abducted by Aliens: Investigating the Differences in Fantasy Proneness, Emotional Intelligence and the Big Five Personality Factors

Hough, Peter; Rogers, Paul

doi:10.2190/ic.27.2.e

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Merckelbach et al (2001) proposed the CEQ had a single-factor solution, whereas Sa´nchez-Bernardos and Avia (2004) described three factors-vividness/ realism of fantasies, fantasy to escape, and make-believe with moderate reliabilities (alpha ¼ .60, .53, and .51, respectively). Hough and Rogers (2008) improved reliability levels of these three factors (.72, .69, and .64, respectively).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Fantasy Proneness and Personality Profiles

Sánchez-Bernardos

Lloreda

Avia

et al. 2015

Imagination, Cognition and Personality

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This study was aimed to analyze the relationships of fantasy proneness with the personality domains encompassed within the Five-Factor Model of personality in an adult sample. A 15-item scale from the Creative Experiences Questionnaire with adequate internal consistency was used to measure fantasy proneness. The results showed two components of fantasy proneness. First one was characterized by vividness-intensity of imaginings that remained hidden for other people; the second component was composed of developmental antecedents of pretense and make-believe activities. Both components were correlated with Neuroticism (anxiety, depression, and impulsivity), Openness to Experience (fantasy, aesthetics, and feelings), and with general psychological distress and severe psychopathological symptoms. However, only the first component was associated with low Conscientiousnees (competence, order, dutifulness, and self-discipline), and only the second one was correlated with Extraversion (activity, excitement seeking, and positive emotions). Our results fitted with the notion that fantasy proneness might be a multidimensional construct.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Fantasy Proneness and Personality Profiles

Sánchez-Bernardos

Lloreda

Avia

et al. 2015

Imagination, Cognition and Personality

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“…However, in other cases, these experiences are repetitive, distressing and linked to a more global intrapsychic dynamic. Abductions are an especially instructive example of anomalous experiences associated with sleep disorder during which people believe they have been abducted by aliens (Hough and Rogers, 2007 ). In some cases, the “memory” of the abduction is recovered during hypnosis sessions several years later, and patients often report that they have been the victim of a surgical intervention or a rape committed by aliens.…”

Section: Anomalous Experiences Altered States Of Consciousness and mentioning

confidence: 99%

Anomalous Experiences, Trauma, and Symbolization Processes at the Frontiers between Psychoanalysis and Cognitive Neurosciences

Rabeyron

Loose

2015

Front. Psychol.

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Anomalous or exceptional experiences are uncommon experiences which are usually interpreted as being paranormal by those who report them. These experiences have long remained difficult to explain, but current progress in cognitive neuroscience and psychoanalysis sheds light on the contexts in which they emerge, as well as on their underlying processes. Following a brief description of the different types of anomalous experiences, we underline how they can be better understood at the frontiers between psychoanalysis and cognitive neurosciences. In this regard, three main lines of research are discussed and illustrated, alongside clinical cases which come from a clinical service specializing in anomalous experiences. First, we study the links between anomalous experiences and hallucinatory processes, by showing that anomalous experiences frequently occur as a specific reaction to negative life events, in which case they mainly take the form of non-pathological hallucinations. Next, we propose to analyze these experiences from the perspective of their traumatic aspects and the altered states of consciousness they often imply. Finally, these experiences are considered to be the consequence of a hypersensitivity that can be linked to an increase in psychic permeability. In conclusion, these different processes lead us to consider anomalous experiences as primary forms of symbolization and transformation of the subjective experience, especially during, or after traumatic situations.

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“…Fantasy prone individuals are believed to share a unique set of characteristics, including the experience of vivid memories, the ability to voluntarily hallucinate and superior hypnotic abilities (Wilson & Barber, 1983). Researchers have explored many phenomena which appear to be associated with FP, including: absorption (Green & Lynn, 2011;Levin & Young,2001Lynn & Rhue, 1988;Merckelbach et al, 2001), aversive childhood experiences (Geraerts et al, 2006;Pekala et al, 1999;Rhue & Lynn, 1987;Sa`nchez-Bernardos & Avia, 2004;Somer & Herscu, 2017), hypnotic abilities (Green & Lynn, 2008;Terhune et al, 2010), hallucinatory abilities (Giambra, 1999(Giambra, /2000, mental imagery (Laroi et al, 2005) and paranormal beliefs and experiences (Bartholomew et al, 1991;Berkowski & MacDonald, 2014;French et al, 2008;Gow et al, 2004;Hough & Rogers, 2007Irwin, 1990;Lawrence et al, 1995;Parra, 2006;Rogers et al, 2007;Spanos et al, 1993).…”

Section: Fantasy-proneness Mental Imagery and Dissociationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“God Spoke to Me”: Subjective Paranormal Experience and the Homeostatic Response to Early Trauma

Marks

2020

Imagination, Cognition and Personality

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The prevalence of reported subjective paranormal experience (SPE) is at high levels in all populations investigated to date. This article presents a new integrative theory of SPE in light of the brain’s homeostatic response to early trauma. I hold that developmental factors in the brain’s responses to trauma predispose victimized individuals towards SPE and paranormal beliefs. I examine the reported associations between childhood abuse, dissociation, depersonalization, compartmentalization, fantasy generation, homeostasis and SPE. A new integrative theory of psychological homeostasis draws upon the mechanisms of dissociation and fantasy generation to explain the origins of SPE. Twelve hypotheses from the Homeostasis Theory are found to be consistent with the findings of multiple studies and falsifying evidence has yet to be identified. Freezing and associated releases of fantasy, which may take the form of SPE, serve as a survival strategy in the homeostatic regaining of safety and control following childhood abuse. Prospective research is necessary to deepen our understanding of the brain mechanisms required by the system described here.

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Individuals Who Report Being Abducted by Aliens: Investigating the Differences in Fantasy Proneness, Emotional Intelligence and the Big Five Personality Factors

Cited by 12 publications

References 44 publications

Fantasy Proneness and Personality Profiles

Fantasy Proneness and Personality Profiles

Anomalous Experiences, Trauma, and Symbolization Processes at the Frontiers between Psychoanalysis and Cognitive Neurosciences

“God Spoke to Me”: Subjective Paranormal Experience and the Homeostatic Response to Early Trauma

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