Transpersonalpsychology Research Review Topic: Mystical Experience

s below are drawn mainly from this group of articles. However, a few older investigations that employed noteworthy methodologies are also included to convey the full range of methodological creativity that has been brought to bear on the subject of mystical experiences. The studies are listed under the category that best describes the methodology employed: Laboratory, Experimental and QURsiexperimental Studies; Studies Using Scales; Studies Using Survey Instruments; Questionnaire Studies; Interview Studies; and Studies Using Content Analysis. Studies that utilized more than one approach are listed under the category of the most critical methodology to that study. Laboratory, Experimental and Quasi-experimental Studies CIRIGNOTTA, F., TODESCO, C. & LUGARESr, E. (1980).Temporal lobe epilepsy with ecstatic seizures (so-called Dostoevsky epilepsy). Epllepsia, 21, 705to. Method: A person with temporal lobe epilepsy who reported ecstatic seizures during which he experienced "joy" and "total bliss" was examined by EEG for 24 hours. Findings: This case study confirmed that ecstatic mood can occur during seizures and "are undoubtedly related to discharges with the characteristics of typical temporo-rhinencephalic seizures" (p, 709). FINNEY, J. & MALONEY,H. (1985). An empirical study of contemplative prayer as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 13(4), 284-90. Methods: The use of contemplative Christian prayer as an adjunct to psychotherapy was investigated in a time series quasi-experimental design in which each subject served as his or her own control. Six measures including the Hood Mysticism Scale were administered to nine subjects who were