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The Near-Death Experience and Self-Determination Theory.

Robert A King¹

¹The NDE OBE Research Project, Casa Grande, AZ, USA.

|September 16, 2022

Summary

Near-death experiences can involve altered consciousness and spiritual encounters. Self-determination theory explains how meeting needs for relatedness, competence, and autonomy may foster wellbeing and intrinsic motivation to live.

Keywords:

autonomy competence motivation near-death experience relatedness self-determination theory

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Neuroscience
Spirituality Studies

Background:

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are often characterized by altered states of consciousness.
Individuals may perceive being outside their body and encounter spiritual figures offering a choice to return or stay.
These experiences can involve conflicting desires between the physical life and the perceived afterlife.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the relevance of self-determination theory (SDT) to the psychological processes during NDEs.
To examine how SDT's basic psychological needs (relatedness, competence, autonomy) are met in NDEs.
To understand how meeting these needs may influence an individual's motivation and psychological wellbeing post-experience.

Main Methods:

Theoretical analysis applying self-determination theory to NDE phenomena.
Review of existing literature and case studies on NDEs.
Conceptual framework development linking psychological needs to NDE outcomes.

Main Results:

Self-determination theory provides a relevant framework for understanding NDEs.
The fulfillment of relatedness, competence, and autonomy needs during NDEs can vary in effectiveness.
Meeting these psychological needs may influence the experient's decision-making process and acceptance of returning to life.

Conclusions:

Self-determination theory offers insights into the psychological dynamics of near-death experiences.
Fulfillment of basic psychological needs during NDEs may foster intrinsic motivation for life.
This process could lead to enhanced psychological wellbeing and a greater desire to live life fully.