Altered States of Consciousness and Mental Health

A Cross-Cultural Perspective
1. Auflage 1989
ISBN: 978-0-8039-3277-7
Verlag: Sage Publications, Inc

Buch, Englisch, Band 12, 320 Seiten, HC gerader Rücken kaschiert, Format (B × H): 145 mm x 222 mm, Gewicht: 540 g

Reihe: Cross Cultural Research and Methodology

Demonic possession, multiple personalities, spirit possession, self-healing, and exorcism--the psychological study of such phenomena has long been fraught with difficulties. A strong behavioristic approach in the discipline has resulted in a reluctance to examine internal, intangible, inaccessible mental states that are not readily amenable to experimental investigation. In Altered States of Consciousness and Mental Health, a distinguished group of contributors explores these and other phenomena from a cross-cultural perspective. They dispell common misconceptions, clarify terms, and resolve controversies surrounding the relationships between consciousness and psychological well-being. Historical, biological, psychological, and methodological factors are considered from a variety of cultural contexts. In addition, contributors provide fascinating case studies and interviews for each of the phenomena discussed. This ground-breaking study will be of particular interest to cross-cultural psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, ethnopsychiatrists, and mental health professionals who find themselves coming into increasing contact with these phenomena. "It is an important contribution to cross-cultural understanding of human thinking. I would recommend it strongly to all psychologists and psychiatrists interested in trying to widen the perspectives of their basically Eurocentric disciplines." --British Journal of Psychiatry "An interesting and thought-provoking collection of papers in this emerging field which deserves to become a standard text in the years ahead." --Clinical Psychology Europe "What the book does is to open discussion and pave the way for more and better investigations of the phenomena of altered states of consciousness and their relation to mental health." --New Zealand Journal of Psychology

Autoren/Hrsg.

Ward, Colleen

Ward, Colleen A.

Fachgebiete

• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft | Kulturwissenschaften Kulturwissenschaften
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Parapsychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Allgemeine Psychologie Sozialpsychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Familiensoziologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

PART ONE: ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH: THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES
The Cross-cultural Study of Altered States of Consciousness and Mental Health - Colleen A Ward
From Disease to Discourse - Michael Lambek
Remarks on the Conceptualization of Trance and Spirit Possession
PART TWO: ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
`Ravished of a Fiend' - Simon Kemp
Demonology and Medieval Madness
Possession Syndrome in India - C R Chandra Shekar
Hypnosis, Demonic Possession and Multiple Personality - Nicholas P Spanos
Strategic Enactments and Disavowals of Responsibility for Actions
Possession and Exorcism - Psychopathology and Psychotherapy in a Magico-Religious Context - Colleen A Ward
PART THREE: THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS OF ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Religious Experiences as Self-Healing Mechanisms - J P Valla and Raymond Prince
Therapeutic Use of Altered States of Consciousness in Contemporary North American Indian Dance Ceremonials - Wolfgang Jilek
A Call to Heal - Stanley Krippner
Entry Patterns in Brazilian Mediumship
Healing and Transformation - Richard Katz
Perspectives on Development, Education and Community
PART FOUR: ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVES ON ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Altered States of Consciousness, Magical Thinking and Psychopathology - Leonard Zusne
The Case of Ludwig Staudenmaier
Self Presentation in Malaysian Spirit Seances - Raymond L M Lee
A Dramaturgical Perspective on Altered States of Consciousness in Healing Ceremonies
Stressing Social Change and Songhay Possession - Paul Stoller
Power and Hallucinogenic States of Consciousness Among the Moche - Marlene Dobkin de Rios
An Ancient Peruvian Society

Über Autor(innen)

Ward, Colleen A.
Colleen A Ward is a senior lecturer in the Department of Social Work and Psychology at the National University of Singapore.