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Auditory Hallucinations in Normal Populations of Adults and Children

Auditory Hallucinations in Normal Populations of Adults and Children
Auditory Hallucinations in Normal Populations of Adults and Children

It has long been acknowledged that hallucinations occur in the normal population. The first paper of this thesis explores this phenomenon further. It describes some of the studies that have looked at the prevalence of hallucination, putting it at between five and 71 per cent. Some cross-cultural differences are noted. One of the major models of hallucination is the reality discrimination model. This was developed by integrating previous research into the different factors and mechanisms involved that lead to experiencing hallucinations. Studies testing this model using ambiguous stimuli are described. Differences between normal and psychotic hallucinations are discussed. Hallucinations are also experienced by children, although the prevalence has not been measured. It may be that there is an association between hallucinations and the presence of imaginary companions. Finally, implications for further research are discussed.

The second paper describes a study that tests four hypotheses, through the administration of a hallucination questionnaire to children and adults and the presentation of ambiguous stimuli to the adults. The results gave support to the reality discrimination model of hallucinations, through the association between the tendency to fail in reality discrimination when presented with ambiguous stimuli and hallucinations experienced in everyday life. Prevalence of hallucinations in children and adults was found to be the same, supporting the notion of a continuum of experience from childhood into adulthood. Prevalence in the UK was found to be the same as in the USA. There was an association between hallucinations experienced and the presence of an imagery companion.

University of Southampton
Flury, Sarah
f1e9d26c-ebe9-4a9b-ac4b-5b9c84f00578
Flury, Sarah
f1e9d26c-ebe9-4a9b-ac4b-5b9c84f00578

Flury, Sarah (2001) Auditory Hallucinations in Normal Populations of Adults and Children. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

It has long been acknowledged that hallucinations occur in the normal population. The first paper of this thesis explores this phenomenon further. It describes some of the studies that have looked at the prevalence of hallucination, putting it at between five and 71 per cent. Some cross-cultural differences are noted. One of the major models of hallucination is the reality discrimination model. This was developed by integrating previous research into the different factors and mechanisms involved that lead to experiencing hallucinations. Studies testing this model using ambiguous stimuli are described. Differences between normal and psychotic hallucinations are discussed. Hallucinations are also experienced by children, although the prevalence has not been measured. It may be that there is an association between hallucinations and the presence of imaginary companions. Finally, implications for further research are discussed.

The second paper describes a study that tests four hypotheses, through the administration of a hallucination questionnaire to children and adults and the presentation of ambiguous stimuli to the adults. The results gave support to the reality discrimination model of hallucinations, through the association between the tendency to fail in reality discrimination when presented with ambiguous stimuli and hallucinations experienced in everyday life. Prevalence of hallucinations in children and adults was found to be the same, supporting the notion of a continuum of experience from childhood into adulthood. Prevalence in the UK was found to be the same as in the USA. There was an association between hallucinations experienced and the presence of an imagery companion.

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Published date: 2001

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 467086
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/467086
PURE UUID: e5f5ef08-0975-4096-b055-5cf2f53f9765

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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 08:11
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 20:58

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Author: Sarah Flury

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