Ecstatic experiences: a comparative study of ritual, contextual and psychophysiological patterns in different population samples

• Grant number: 20/08721-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2021
• End date: May 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Social Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Wellington Zangari
• Grantee: Douglas Flores de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ecstatic experiences are prevalent in performance, mystical-religious, artistic contexts, in sports and in psychedelic practices. They integrate numerous psychophysiological and phenomenological dynamics, and their forms of induction vary according to the types of manifestations, functions and effects. This has influenced the emergence of many studies in different areas of knowledge throughout history. However, there is still a need for a coherent, solid and well-structured theory. This makes it essential to develop a psychophysiological/phenomenological theory of ecstasy. This project is based on the study carried out by the proponent in his master's degree and aims to empirically test the data collected and the results from that study. In order to achieve this objective, the present project has the general objective of: a) comparing ritualistic and contextual patterns involving ecstatic experiences in different population samples; and as specific objectives: a) to detect the prevalence of ecstatic experiences; b) analyze possible psychophysiological and socio-cultural variables correlated with ecstatic experiences; and c) empirically verify the hypotheses of the scientific literature about the probable different types of ecstasy (performance, sports and mystical-religious-erotic), and what are their similarities and differences. To achieve these objectives, an exploratory and descriptive research will be carried out, with a quantitative-qualitative approach, guided by a hypothetical-deductive, comparative and statistical method, with a mixed sampling execution. The data collection will use a survey, consisting of instruments already validated (e.g. Temperament and Character Inventory (ITC), NEO-PI-R, SCL-90-R, O-LIFE-R, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale), for performing a more reliable and efficient collection. It will also consist of an instrument developed by the researcher himself, and divided into three sections: 1) sociodemographic; 2) psychophysiological; and 3) phenomenological, which constitutes its qualitative character. The instrument will evaluate different population samples, which will be categorized and analyzed in an interdisciplinary and multilevel way. (AU)