“FALSE POSITIVE” CLAIMS OF NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES AND “FALSE NEGATIVE” DENIALS OF NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES

Some people who say they have had a near-death experience (NDE) do not actually meet research criteria for one (false positives), while others who deny having had an NDE do meet those criteria (false negatives). The author assessed these false claims and denials in a group that promotes near-death research and among psychiatric outpatients. The rate of false positives and negatives differed depending on how common NDEs were in each sample and how much participants knew about them. Because participants' knowledge about NDEs can affect study results, using standardized criteria to identify NDEs is critically important.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Some persons who claim to have had near-death experiences (NDEs) fail research criteria for having had NDEs ("false positives"); others who deny having had NDEs do meet research criteria for having had NDEs ("false negatives"). The author evaluated false positive claims and false negative denials in an organization that promotes near-death research and in psychiatric outpatients. The frequency of false positives and negatives varied in samples that differed in prevalence of, and knowledge about, NDEs. The influence of participants' knowledge about NDEs on the findings of near-death research makes it critically important to use standardized criteria for identifying NDEs.