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Title:	Explaining "Memories" of Space Alien Abduction and Past Lives: An Experimental Psychopathology Approach
Author:	McNally, Richard J.
Citation:	McNally, Richard J. 2012. Explaining "memories" of space alien abduction and past lives: An experimental psychopathology approach. Journal of Experimental Psychopathology 3(1): 2-16.
Full Text & Related Files:	alien_abduction.pdf (202.5Kb; PDF)
Abstract:	In this article, I describe how my colleagues, students, and I have used the methods of experimental psychopathology to explain why seemingly sincere, nonpsychotic people claim to have memories of being abducted by space aliens or memories from past lives. Our group has used experimental methods from cognitive psychology and psychophysiology, supplementing them with clinical interviews and psychometric tests, to elucidate the psychology of these two groups. Our data point to quasi-spiritual motivations for why some people embrace the identity of alien abductee or past lifer.
Published Version:	doi:10.5127/jep.017811
Terms of Use:	This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Open Access Policy Articles, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#OAP
Citable link to this page:	http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:8862147

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  Peer reviewed scholarly articles from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Harvard University

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