Near-Death Experiences

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses near death experiences, providing some historical background and literature on the subject, particularly from S. Blackmore who analyzed some of the most famous and ancient near death stories, many of which are fictional but according to the author still relevant to the discussion, as they do tend to follow a particular pattern.

Outline:
NDI Definition
Historical Perspectives
Studies/Research/Literature Review
Difficulties & Limitations of Conducting NDE studies; Reliability & Validity Medical Theories (Biological/Physiological Causes)
Psychological Theories (Psychodynamics, Jung, Parapsychology, Object-Relations etc.
Alternative Explanations ("Scientific Naysayers" - Atwater)
Near-Death Look-a-Likes (e.g., NDE vs. MPD;
Various Types of Experiences (Children vs. Adults) - based on case studies
Demographic, Cross-Cultural (e.g., African American, Mapuche, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Native American, Australia, Euro-American, etc.), and Religious Factors
Meanings & Aftereffects (Psychological & Physiological)
Mental Health Professionals' Attitudes and Knowledge
Commonly reported patient expectations of mental health clinicians
Clinical Dilemma
Clinical Implications & Interventions

From the Paper:

"From this inquiry has come analysis of historical literature, regarding near death stories. Blackmore in 1993 offers a brief but effective analysis of some of the most famous and ancient of near death stories, many of which are fictional but according to the author still relevant to the discussion, as they do tend to follow a particular pattern, that is significantly influenced by context and theology but that is also patterned much like the Moody timeline. Blackmore's first example is Plato's famous story of return from death found in the Republic. (Blackmore, 1993, p. 8)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• (1992). Abstracts of the Collected Works of C.G. Jung (C. L. Rothgeb & S. M. Clemens, Ed.). London: Karnac Books.
• Atwater P.M.H & Morgan, M.H. (2000) The Complete Idiot's Guide to Near-Death Experiences. Indianapolis IN: Alpha Books.
• Atwater, P. M. H. (1994) Beyond the Light: What Isn't Being Said About Near-Death Experience, Secaucus, NJ: Carol Publishing Group.
• Atwater, P.M.H. (2003). The New Children and Near-Death Experiences. New York: Bear and Company.
• Bailey, L. W. (1996) The Near-Death Experience: A Reader New York: Routledge.

More papers on Near-Death Experiences:

• Persuasive Essay # 95894 : "Near-Death Experiences"
• Analytical Essay # 128730 : "Understanding Near Death Experiences"
• Research Paper # 128753 : "Near Death Experiences"

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