Explaining “Memories” of Space Alien Abduction and past Lives: An Experimental Psychopathology Approach
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: In this article, I describe how my colleagues, students, and I have used the methods of experimental psychopathology to explain why seemingly sincere, nonpsychotic people claim to have memories of being abducted by space aliens or memories from past lives. Our group has used experimental methods from cognitive psychology and psychophysiology, supplementing them with clinical interviews and psychometric tests, to elucidate the psychology of these two groups. Our data point to quasi-spiritual motivations for why some people embrace the identity of alien abductee or past lifer.
DOI: 10.5127/jep.017811
Author: Richard J. McNally
Institution: Harvard University
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2112247278