Dimensional Approach to Classification
Extrasensory and psychokinetic experiences can be described utilizing phenomenological dimensions and onset/course dimensions. The former dimension concerns the structural and behavioral nature of the experience. The latter dimensions concern the conditions of which bring about an experience and influence its course. This multidimensional approach is thoroughly proposed and published in the University of Alternative Studies new textbook in Clinical Parapsychology on Exceptional Extrasensory Experiences. This approach addresses extrasensory experiences; however, this approach can easily be utilized for psychokinetic experiences without adaptation. The following is a summary of the dimensional approach.
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Phenomenological Dimensions |
Valence [ Anchors: 1= negative, 3 = neutral, 5 = positive.], Dangerousness [Anchors: 1= desirable, 3 = neutral, 5 = dangerous.], Arousal [Anchors: 1= placid/calm, 3 = marginal, 5 = excited/aroused.], Impact [ Anchors: 1= non-significant, 3 = marginally significant, 5 = significant.], Vividness [Anchors: 0 = non-descript/other, 1 = emotion, 2 = impression, 3 = hallucination, 4 = dream], Association [Anchors: 1 = detachment, 3 = unaltered, 5 = oneness.], and Temporal [Anchors: 1 = timelessness, 3 = quantifiable, 5 = shifting]. |
Onset/Course Dimensions |
Awareness [Anchors: 0 = unconscious, 1 = sleep, 2 = altered state, 3 = conscious], Volition [Anchors: 1 = involuntary onset, 3 = quasi-, 5 = voluntary onset. ], Control [Anchors (a): 1a = involuntary control, 3a = quasi-, 5a = voluntary control | Anchors (b): 1b = involuntary onset, 3b = quasi, 5b = voluntary onset.], Functional [Anchors: 1 = severe impairment, 3 = poor functioning, 5= no impairment, 7 = good functioning, 9 = high functioning. ], and Episodic [Anchors: 1 = single, 3 = various, 5 = continuous.]. |
Suggested Supplemental Data |
Description, Location, Date and Time, Duration, Factors, Other Diagnoses, and including a Working Hypothesis. |
This multidimensional approach is proposed as categorical approaches are limited by at least two key challenges. Firstly, the heterogeneity of extrasensory experiences reflects the possibility that an extrasensory experience may straddle the middle of a continuum between Telepathy, Clairvoyance, and/or Empathy. Secondly, categorical approaches may fall short in reliability in stability due to briefly specified phenomenological features and perhaps confusion in applying criteria on episodic verses lifetime experiences.
Citation: Kelly, T.M. (2015). Clinical Parapsychology: Extrasensory Exceptional Experiences (Textbook). University of Alternative Studies. Purchase.
Copyright © 2014 Theresa M. Kelly, MsD. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.