The Trait of Absorption and Subjective Experience

Abstract

Previous research with predecessor instruments to the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), that is, the Phenomenology of Consciousness Questionnaire (PCQ) and the (Abbreviated) Dimensions of Consciousness Questionnaire ((A)DCQ), assessed state manifestations of the trait of absorption. Absorption, “the openness to absorbing and self-altering experiences” (Tellegen & Atkinson, 1974), is a personality trait moderately correlated (r = .38) with hypnotic susceptibility. Absorption seems to describe an individual’s proclivity toward complete attentional involvement in one’s perceptual, imaginative, and ideational faculties (Fabian & Fishkin, 1981; O’Grady, 1980). Although subsequent studies (Finke & MacDonald, 1978; Spanos & McPeake, 1975; Yanchar & Johnson, 1981) have confirmed the correlation between hypnotic susceptibility and absorption, more recent studies (De Groot et al., 1988) have suggested that the correlation may be an artifact and due to expectancy and related variables. Despite the above controversy, absorption has been found to be associated with differential responsivity to meditation (Greenfield, 1977), EMG biofeedback (Quails & Sheehan, 1981a,b), and marijuana intoxification (Fabian & Fishkin, 1981).