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Psychophysiological responding during script-driven imagery in people reporting abduction by space aliens
Richard J McNally1, Natasha B Lasko, Susan A Clancy
1Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. rjm@wjh.harvard.edu
Psychological Science
|June 18, 2004
Summary
Recollecting improbable traumatic experiences, like alien abduction, triggers significant psychophysiological responses. This suggests that the belief in trauma, even if improbable, can elicit emotional reactions similar to genuine trauma recollection.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Investigating the psychophysiological correlates of recalling highly improbable traumatic experiences.
- Examining whether belief in alien abduction trauma elicits responses similar to recognized trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if recalling alien abduction experiences is accompanied by psychophysiological responses indicative of intense emotion.
- To compare emotional responses to alien abduction scripts versus stressful, positive, and neutral scripts.
Main Methods:
- Measured heart rate, skin conductance, and electromyographic responses during script-driven imagery.
- Included participants reporting alien abduction experiences and a control group.
- Compared physiological reactivity across different script conditions (abduction, stressful, positive, neutral).
Main Results:
- Abductees showed significantly greater psychophysiological reactivity to abduction and stressful scripts compared to positive and neutral scripts.
- This heightened reactivity was more pronounced in abductees than in control participants across all physiological measures.
- Findings confirmed predictions regarding the impact of recalling improbable traumatic experiences.
Conclusions:
- Belief in having experienced trauma, such as alien abduction, can generate emotional and physiological responses akin to recalling actual trauma.
- Psychophysiological measures indicate that the subjective experience of trauma, regardless of its objective improbability, can provoke intense emotional reactions.
