Relationship of Mystical Experience, Differentiation, and Creativity

Abstract

The purpose of the investigation was to examine the relationship of three variables proposed as correlates of development in a conceptual system. Variables were selected and measured based on congruency with the system and on the theoretical rationale that the diverse perceptual features of mystical experience and differentiation would be conducive to emergent creativity. A volunteer sample of 160 college age students (17 to 24 yr. of age), comprised of both men (31%) and women (69%), were administered Hood's Mysticism Scale, Factor I; Witkin's Group Embedded Figures Test; Gough and Heilbrun's Adjective Check List from which 19 items were extracted to measure creativity as validated by Yonge. The findings provided mild support for the proposed hypothesis. The combination of mystical experience and differentiation accounted for 14.5% of the total variance of creativity in this sample. Mystical experience accounted for about 11% and differentiation for about 3%. Mystical experience and creativity were positively related as well as differentiation and creativity. Mystical experience and differentiation were orthogonal and did not interact to influence creativity.