Abstract

Investigated possible relationships between anomalous (or parapsychological) experiences and beliefs, and the incidence of childhood hypnagogic, hypnopompic, and sleep experiences, and childhood fantasy proneness. Using an exploratory Internet survey, data on childhood experiences were collected from 108 participants aged 18-71 yrs. Ss were visitors to a university parapsychology unit\'s homepage who followed links to participate in the study. Significant positive correlations were found between the incidence of anomalous experiences (both childhood and adulthood) and the level of childhood fantasy proneness, the incidence of a number of hypnagogic and hypnopompic experiences, various childhood dream variables, and symptoms of certain sleep disorders. There were also significant positive correlations between the level of anomalous beliefs and the incidence of both childhood and adulthood anomalous experiences, childhood hypnagogic imagery, and exploding head symptoms. Si!gnificant intercorrelations among the incidences of a number of childhood hypnagogic, hypnopompic, and sleep experiences and fantasy proneness suggest the possibility of an underlying imagery factor. It should be noted that some of the findings did not remain significant when adjustments for multiple analyses were made.