Review article

Psychological aspects of near-death experiences

Aleksandra Mindoljević Drakulić ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Slobodanka Keleuva ; City of Zagreb, Teaching Institute of Emergency Medicine of the City of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

This article presents all the relevant psychological theories that attempt to define near-death experiences.
However, in the study of this phenomenon, psychology as a scientific discipline is primarily faced with
the refutation of dogmatic views of transcendental and psychic characteristics than oriented towards
phenomenology. All of this points to the complexity, uniqueness and mystery of the themes that certainly
cannot be considered separately from the approach of other scientific disciplines. For all these reasons,
in the understanding of this construct it is difficult to hold the position of a strict, neutral and critical
observer without the interference of speculation, misconceptions and prejudices. Therefore, this article can
be seen as a contribution to knowledge and successful understanding of intriguing near-death phenomena.
Additionally, this text addresses the universal question of human life: how we endure the end of life and if
it is really possible to accept death as a positive aspect of life Σ the fact that the experience of near-death
phenomena teaches us.

Keywords

near-death experience; psychological theories; explanations; testing of neardeath experiences

Hrčak ID:

165953

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/165953

Publication date:

12.9.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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