Research Summary: Self-Concept and Body Investment in Out-of-Body Experients

Prior research has found that people who have had out-of-body experiences (OBErs) report higher levels of body dissatisfaction than people who have never had an OBE (non-OBErs). Previous studies of the general public have shown that people with higher levels of body dissatisfaction also tend to score higher on measures of social anxiety. However, this does not appear to be the case for OBErs. A study completed by researchers at the University of Manchester (UK) and published in the European Journal of Parapsychology was designed to investigate this apparent discrepancy.

A total of 59 participants (19 OBErs and 40 non-OBErs) completed questionnaires about their self-concept and psychological investment in their bodies. The researchers hypothesized that OBErs maintain a positive self-concept (meaning that they do not experience higher levels of social anxiety) even though they score higher than non-OBErs on a measure of body dissatisfaction. It was also hypothesized that the higher levels of body dissatisfaction, but absence of social anxiety observed in OBErs might be explained in part by a lower degree of body investment than non-OBErs.

As predicted, OBErs were found to have a more positive self-concept than non-OBErs, but did not differ in regards to body investment. Based upon these findings, the researchers argue that the dissatisfaction expressed by the non-OBErs toward their bodies may reflect aesthetic concerns, while OBErs' responses are more expressive of frustration with the physical constraints of the body.

Murray C.D., Wilde, D. & Fox, J. (2006). Self-concept and body investment in out-of-body experients. European Journal of Parapsychology, 21 (1), 27-37.

Labels: research summaries

11:31 PM :: ::

1 Comments:

• As someone who frequently experiences OOBEs, I can say that it is incredibly frustrating to think that we live in a society that seems to be completely isolated from it's vast capabilities. Entire worlds exist beyond the 3rd dimension, and we should all realise the potential. I feel that the ability to detach from the 3rd dimensional body is not just limited to human beings, but to other mammals - and who knows, other creatures perhaps. It may well be a survival mechanism - its uses are enormous. It's about time science takes this seriously. I would love to be able to give tangible evidence, but I don't know how. I can't bring an object from the 5th dimension back into the 3rd - it's just not possible.
  
  The only way to see that OOBES are real is to have one yourself. Apart from that, I am open to any method of gaining tangible evidence from this ability. I am still trying to find out ways.
  
  jahone@hotmail.co.uk

  By  Anonymous, at 7:58 AM, December 13, 2006  

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