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Scaling and factor analyzing peak experience
Author(s) -
Hallaq John H.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(197701)33:1+<77::aid-jclp2270330115>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - psychology , scaling , factor (programming language) , multidimensional scaling , statistics , mathematics , computer science , geometry , programming language
This paper proposes an objective approach for the evaluation of peak experiences. A similar methodology can be applied to nadir experiences a well. The major advantage of this alternatives is that of facilitating the process of data gathering on a variety of peak experiences and eliminating the bias produced by those capable of colorful accounts of their personal experiences. The results obtained through scaling are not only compatiable with the judgemental methods, but also provide additional information about the level or intensity of the experiences. The paper also investigated the possiblity of categoriztion of peak experiences objectively through the use the factor analysis. The results disagree with previous categorizations enough to make it advisable, or even necessary, to conduct more research in this area.