Norton, M. C., & Sahlman, J. M. (1995). Describing the light: Attribution theory as an explanation of the near-death experience. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 13(3) 167-184.

Abstract: Attribution theory--which states that by offering causal explanations, individuals attempt to answer questions of “why?”--focuses on how information is used to create causal inferences and answer causal questions. The finding that near-death experiencers rarely describe unknown events, characters, or objects suggests that NDErs make attributions to answer why these experiences occurred. Examining various descriptions of NDEs demonstrates how attribution theory explains individuals’ descriptions of their NDEs.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Accounts of NDEs—Autobiographical
Characteristics of NDErs NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Spiritual
Characteristics of NDEs—Return, Involuntary
Characteristics of NDEs—Return, Voluntary
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Kinesthetic
Characteristics of NDEs NOS
Cultural, Social Influences on NDEs
Disclosure of NDEs
Explanations of NDEs—Psychological
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Interpretations of NDEs
Language and NDEs

Serdahely, W. J. (1995). Variations from the prototypic near-death experience: The 'individually tailored' hypothesis. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 13(3) 185-196.

Abstract: A nonrandom sample of firsthand accounts of near-death experience (NDEs) revealed a number of variations from the prototypic NDE description, including feeling judged during a life review, seeing a non-deceased friend in the tunnel, experiencing no pain upon returning to the physical body, and crossing a barrier before being sent back. The prototypic NDE model is useful in giving an overview of NDEs, but ultimately the theoretical framework of near-death studies will have to accommodate these and other variations from the prototype. The “individually tailored” hypothesis, put forth to account for many of these variations, states that each NDEr receives what he or she needs during the NDE in a way that NDEr is able to accept.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Accounts of NDEs—Biographical, Cases
Aftereffects of NDEs—Emotional
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Death
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Life
Aftereffects of NDEs—Paranormal Phenomena
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Adults
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Children and Adolescents
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Distressing
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Pleasurable
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Spiritual
Characteristics of NDEs—Life Review
Characteristics of NDEs—Light, Mystical
Characteristics of NDEs—Return, Involuntary
Characteristics of NDEs—Return NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Kinesthetic
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Hearing
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Music
Characteristics of NDEs—Tunnel Experiences
Characteristics of NDEs NOS
Circumstances of NDEs—Accident
Circumstances of NDEs NOS
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Healing and NDEs—Physical
Healing and NDEs—Psychological
Methodology in NDE Research
Related Experiences NOS

Thaler, S. L. (1995). Death of a Gedanken creature. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 13(3) 149-466.

Abstract: This paper describes a thought experiment in which a hypothetical creature created by a computer program inhabits a simple universe consisting of itself, food, and predators. As this creature “dies” it “internally” experiences these environmental features independent of their actual presence. More evolved hypothetical creatures generate novel forms of “inner” experience as they “die.” Applying these results to humans suggests an “internal” genesis of near-death experiences.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Artificial Intelligence and NDEs
Characteristics of NDEs—Light, Mystical
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Mental Processes and NDEs
Science and NDEs

Hoffman, R. M. (1995). Disclosure needs and motives after a near-death experience. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 13(4) 237-266.

Abstract: I analyze the communication processes used by 50 near-death experiencers and discuss their disclosure needs and motives as well as influences and obstacles that affect disclosure habits. The findings suggest that disclosure needs evolve through stages after an experience, and reveal five distinct disclosure motives.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Accounts of NDEs—Autobiographical
Accounts of NDEs—Biographical, Cases
Aftereffects of NDEs—Cognitive
Aftereffects of NDEs—Emotional
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Death
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Life
Aftereffects of NDEs—Religion
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Afterlife, Belief in
Altered States and NDEs
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Adults
Characteristics of NDErs—Gender
Characteristics of NDErs—Occupation
Circumstances of NDEs—Accident
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Circumstances of NDEs—Suicide
Circumstances of NDEs—Time Elapse
Circumstances of NDEs NOS
Disclosure of NDEs
Education about NDEs
Language and NDEs
Methodology in NDE Research
Non-NDErs' Attitudes toward NDEs
Spirituality and NDEs

Atwater, P. M. H. (1995). A call to reconsider the field of near-death studies. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 14(1) 5-15.

Abstract: In this commentary I take remarks previously made in this Journal about frightening near-death experiences and the possibility of near-death being a kundalini breakthrough as license for me to ask for a reconsideration of near-death research. Since the International Association for Near-Death Studies has now established a special fund for the purpose of launching the kind of large-scale clinical, multi-disciplinary research so needed in the field, I appeal for contributions to that fund, so near-death research can advance to its next stage, one of international professionalism.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Accounts of NDEs—Autobiographical
Aftereffects of NDEs—Emotional
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Children and Adolescents
Characteristics of NDErs—Religious Affiliations
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Distressing
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Pleasurable
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEs—Life Review
Characteristics of NDEs—Otherworldly Environments
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory NOS
Characteristics of NDEs NOS
Disclosure of NDEs
Interpretations of NDEs
Kundalini and NDEs
Media Treatment of NDEs
Methodology in NDE Research
Psychopathology and NDEs NOS