Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Determining Criteria for Distinguishing States of Consciousness Barry Matthew Klein Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Cognitive Psychology Commons, and the Religion Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Barry Klein has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Harris Friedman, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. John Deaton, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Penny McNatt Devine, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Determining Criteria for Distinguishing States of Consciousness by Barry M. Klein MS, University of Southern California, 2001 BS, California State University, 1983 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2018 Abstract Even though there are many views on consciousness theory in the pertinent literature, there remains a need for a unifying framework for specifying the features of specific states of consciousness. In order to know what kinds of experiences conscious states have in common, researchers need to elicit testimony that is more direct and finer-grained than has been previously available. This dissertation endeavors to fill a gap in current research by addressing concepts and methods for making requisite distinctions and illuminates the question of whether specific states of consciousness can be reliably and validly distinguished from each other. In order to do this, 41 individuals were invited to be interviewed. The interview was designed as a conversational-type synthesis of 5 well- known questionnaires pertinent to states of consciousness, but without their explicit and implicit assumptions; that is, the volunteers’ responses would not conform to predetermined questions. Encoding their responses allowed me to develop a model that helped to answer the research question (“Are there identifiable features that can reliably and validly distinguish among states of consciousness thought to be distinct from each other?”) by formulating a model in which any given conscious state can be catalogued in terms of its component factors (background, resistances, setting, induction, tradition, energies, and breakthrough events). The results of this study provide much-needed insights into people’s internal experiences of their various states, thus forming a basis for improved treatments and analyses. Better understanding of these states can be an impetus for social change by allowing for more incisive analyses and treatments, as well as fostering improved interpersonal communications. Determining Criteria for Distinguishing States of Consciousness by Barry M. Klein MS, University of Southern California, 2001 BS, California State University, 1983 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February, 2018 Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures ......................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 Research Design.............................................................................................................3 Research Question .................................................................................................. 5 Definition of Terms........................................................................................................5 Assumptions ...................................................................................................................7 Summary ........................................................................................................................7 Chapter 2: Literature Review ...............................................................................................9 Introduction ....................................................................................................................9 Analysis of the Pertinent Literature ...............................................................................9 Examples of Instrument and Treatment Validations ...................................................10 Comparisons of Theories, Techniques, and Therapies ................................................18 Studies on Self-Concept ...............................................................................................25 Transpersonal Research and its Interaction with Neuroscience ..................................29 Theories of Consciousness and Psychoanalysis ..........................................................38 Observations and Features of States of Consciousness ...............................................46 Method and Theory in the Study of Religion and Non-ordinary States ......................58 The Role of Autoethnography .............................................................................. 61 i Interpretation of Language .................................................................................... 65 Influences of Cultural Background ....................................................................... 67 Conclusion to Chapter 2...............................................................................................68 Gaps in Underlying Theories of Consciousness and Self-Concept ...................... 69 Gaps in Instrument and Treatment Validations .................................................... 69 Gaps in the Use of Neuroscience in Identifying Features of Conscious States ......................................................................................................... 71 Gaps in Methods of Observation .......................................................................... 72 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................74 Empirical Rationale .....................................................................................................76 Method .........................................................................................................................78 The Researcher...................................................................................................... 78 Sample and Population ......................................................................................... 78 Invitations and announcements ............................................................................. 80 Pre-screening forms .............................................................................................. 80 Inclusions and exclusions ..................................................................................... 81 Data Gathering .............................................................................................................81 Survey Instruments ............................................................................................... 81 Interviews .............................................................................................................. 82 Procedures ....................................................................................................................83 Datapoints Yielded................................................................................................ 83 Data Collection and Analysis Methods................................................................. 85 ii Data Interpretation ................................................................................................ 90 Dissemination of Findings .................................................................................... 91 Ethical Considerations .......................................................................................... 91 Social Change Implications .................................................................................. 92 Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................94 Functional Categories ................................................................................................107 Comparison to the Referenced Instruments ...............................................................128 Follow-up Survey.......................................................................................................147