Augustine, K. (2007). Psychophysiological and cultural correlates undermining a survivalist interpretation of near-death experiences Journal of Near-Death Studies, 26(2) 89-125.

Abstract: This paper, Part III of a critique of survivalist interpretations of near-death experiences (NDEs), considers psychophysiological and cultural correlates of NDEs suggesting that such experiences are solely products of individuals' minds rather than windows into a transcendental realm. While current psychophysiological models do not fully explain out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and NDEs, several psychophysiological correlates offer promising clues about the mechanisms implicated in their production. These correlates do not definitively identify their precise causes, but strongly imply that such experiences represent internally generated fantasies rather than genuine perceptions of a transcendental environment. Additionally, stark differences in the phenomenology of NDEs from different cultures have been uncovered. Though non-Western samples are too limited to draw anything more than tentative conclusions, the available data suggest that prottypical Western NDE motifs derive from a cultural source, consistent with the hypothesis that NDE content reflects social conditioning and personal expectation rather than the perception of an external reality.

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Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Afterlife, Belief in
Altered States and NDEs
Cross-Cultural NDEs (outside the U.S.)—non-Western
Cultural, Social Influences on NDEs
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological NOS
Explanations of NDEs—Psychological
Explanations of NDEs—Sociological
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Interpretations of NDEs
Language and NDEs
Psychopathology and NDEs—Dissociation
Psychopathology and NDEs—Hallucinations
Related Experiences NOS
Science and NDEs

Augustine, K. (2007). "Psychopysiological and cultural correlates undermining a survivalist interpretation of near-death experiences" defended Journal of Near-Death Studies, 26(2) 163-175.

Abstract: Some largely convergent objections arise from independent commentaries on my lead essay. These include claims that noted psychophysiological correlates can be accommodated by models which presume that something leaves the body during out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and near-death experiences (NDEs), that social expectation alone cannot account for actual NDE content, that crosscultural diversity does not challenge a survivalist interpretation of NDEs, and that conceding well-defined commonalities within Western NDE accounts while denying crosscultural uniformity is problematic. I concede some these objections up to a point, but conclude that they neither strengthen the case for survivalist interpretation of NDEs nor weaken the case against one.

Copyright:

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Afterlife, Belief in
Altered States and NDEs
Cross-Cultural NDEs (outside the U.S.)—non-Western
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological NOS
Explanations of NDEs—Psychological
Explanations of NDEs—Sociological
Interpretations of NDEs
Language and NDEs
Related Experiences NOS

Augustine, K. (2007). Near-death experiences with hallucinatory features Journal of Near-Death Studies, 26(1) 3-31.

Abstract: Though little systematic attention has been given to near-death experiences (NDEs) with clear or suggestive hallucinatory features, reports of such experiences strongly imply that NDEs are not glimpses of an afterlife. This paper, Part II of a critique of survivalist interpretations of NDEs, surveys NDEs incorporating out-of-body discrepancies, bodily sensations, encounters with living persons and fictional characters, random or insignificant memories, returns from a point of no return, hallucinatory imagery, and unfulfilled predictions. Though attempts to accommodate hallucinatory NDEs within a survivalist framework are possible, they signal a failure to take the empirical evidence against a survivalist interpretation of NDEs seriously.

Copyright:

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Aftereffects of NDEs—Paranormal Phenomena
Aftereffects of NDEs—Religion
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Altered States and NDEs
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Distressing
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEs—Life Review
Characteristics of NDEs—Return, Involuntary
Characteristics of NDEs—Return, Voluntary
Characteristics of NDEs—Return NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory NOS
Characteristics of NDEs NOS
Dreams and NDEs
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Interpretations of NDEs
Psychopathology and NDEs—Hallucinations
Psychopharmacology and NDEs—Anesthesia
Science and NDEs

Augustine, K. (2007). "Near-death experiences with hallucinatory features" defended Journal of Near-Death Studies, 26(1) 55-65.

Abstract: Three preceding commentaries present even-handed and thoughtful criticisms of "Near-death experiences with hallucinatory features." The commentators and I agree that near-death experience (NDE) reports are sometimes open to multiple interpretations, that different kinds of NDEs should be distinguished according to their diverse physiological mechanisms, and that transformations following NDEs but not other hallucinatory experiences require special explanation if NDES are hullucinations. In this reply I discuss the most significant areas of continuing disagreement.

Copyright:

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Afterlife, Belief in
Altered States and NDEs
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEs—Life Review
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Vision
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory NOS
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Interpretations of NDEs
Mental Processes and NDEs
Psychopathology and NDEs—Hallucinations
Veridical Perception during NDEs

Augustine, K. (2007). Does paranormal perception occur in near-death experiences? Journal of Near-Death Studies, 25(4) 203-236.

Abstract: While most near-death researchers have disregarded reports of near-death experiences with hallucinatory features, many have sought cases of verdicial paranormal preception during NDEs. But despite more than a quarter century of near-death studies, no compelling evidence that NDErs can obtain information from remote locations during their NDEs has been forthcoming. This paper, Part I of a critique of survivalist interpretations of NDEs, reviews the quality of the evidence for veridical observations during NDEs, and finds the case for veridical paranormal perception during NDEs wanting.

Copyright:

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Afterlife, Belief in
Altered States and NDEs
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Circumstances of NDEs—Time Elapse
Disabilities and NDEs
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological NOS
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Interpretations of NDEs
Media Treatment of NDEs
Mental Processes and NDEs
Methodology in NDE Research
Psychopathology and NDEs—Hallucinations
Psychopharmacology and NDEs—Anesthesia
Science and NDEs
Veridical Perception during NDEs