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Individual differences in susceptibility to out-of-body experience

Author(s): Marta Łukowska
Subject(s): Cognitive Psychology
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: out-of-body experience; OBE; full-body illusion; FBI

Summary/Abstract: During out-of-body experience (OBE) visual perspective and bodily awareness are altered. The phenomenon has been investigated in studies with brain-damaged patients, people exposed to gravitational overloads, as well as victims of traumatic events. Recently, virtual reality technology enabled evoking transient OBE in healthy people. Studies using full-body illusion (FBI) protocol point to incorrect visuo-vestibular integration as a potential mechanism evoking OBE. This conclusion is strengthened by neuroimaging and lesion studies suggesting important role of temporo-pariental junction (TPJ; multisensory associative cortical area damaged in patients suffering from OBE) for proper visuo-vestibular integration. Finally, potential mechanisms of individual differences in susceptibility to OBE ranging from simple perceptual to higher cognitive processes are discussed.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 7
  • Page Range: 31-41
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Polish