Perceptual-personality variables associated with entity encounter experiences

This study evaluates data from two independent samples, active paranormal believers (Study 1, N = 239) and undergraduate students (Study 2, N = 554), to find psychological variables related to self-reported Entity Encounter Experiences (EEE) - specifically, Sense of Presence, Apparitional Experience, and Spirit Possession. Sense of Presence (75%), Apparitional Experience (29%), and Spirit Possession (19%), were more frequent in S1 compared to S2 (34%, 5%, and 5%, respectively). For S1, respondents with a high frequency of EEEs tended to be extroverted, have a high propensity for unusual experiences (a schizotypy factor), and score high on 'thin' boundary and transliminality. For S2, respondents with a high frequency of EEEs tended to be neurotic and fantasy-prone, have cognitive-perceptual schizotypy, dissociative tendencies, and score high on absorption factors. For paranormal believers, the 'thin' boundary variable predicted EEE group membership. For students, EEE group membership was predicted by schizotypy, absorption, and dissociation.