Content Analysis of an Anomalous Memorate Collection: Testing Hypotheses Regarding Universal Features

The experiential source theory suggests that certain types of anomalous experiences are a source of recurring folk beliefs in spirits, souls, life after death, and magical abilities. The theory implies that these anomalous perceptions have physiological bases. Content analysis of a collection of ora...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: McClenon, James (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Oxford Univ. Press 2000
In: Sociology of religion
Year: 2000, Volume: 61, Issue: 2, Pages: 155-169
Online Access: Volltext (JSTOR)
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Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:The experiential source theory suggests that certain types of anomalous experiences are a source of recurring folk beliefs in spirits, souls, life after death, and magical abilities. The theory implies that these anomalous perceptions have physiological bases. Content analysis of a collection of oral accounts of anomalous memorates (N = 1215) indicates that experiences of apparitions, paranormal dreams, and waking extrasensory perceptions have cross-culturally uniform structures and that these experiences coincide with recurring elements within folk traditions. These findings support the experiential source theory and a broader ritual healing theory explaining the origin of religion.
ISSN:1759-8818
Contains:Enthalten in: Sociology of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.2307/3712283