Perceptual Variables in the Experience of Hearing Voices and their Relationship with Spiritual Beliefs

Abstract

The phenomenology of the experience of hearing voices differs from patients with psychosis who have auditory hallucinations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the type and frequency of experiences and beliefs associated with hearing voices in a non-clinical sample with an interest in paranormal/spiritual issues, and their relationship with the proneness to schizotypy, religiosity and spirituality, tendency to fantasy, hallucination and delusional ideation. Method: a sample of 202 adults who had hearing voice experiences were recruited who filled an ad hoc questionnaires on hearing experiences in the general population, beliefs in voices, religious/spiritual practices and cognitive styles and perceptual distortions. Results: it was found that those with hearing voices experiences tended to show a strong attribution both benign and malignant, indicating cognitive and emotional valence regarding the content of their voices. The results also show that the paranormal experience is related to positive but not negative schizotypy. In addition, the ability to cope, social support and commitment to religious/spiritual life were found to be relevant factors for coping with the experience of hearing voices. Those who share pre-existing spiritual worldviews may require a coherent framework to make sense of this experience.