A Comparative Study of Pseudohallucinations, Imagery and True Hallucinations

Abstract

A group of 72 patients who reported hallucinatory experiences was studied. A classification of the various types of hallucination is presented, based upon phenomenological differences. The individual types of experience are considered in respect of the setting in which they occurred, namely: 1. in states of clear consciousness 2. in states of altered consciousness (a) in the half-waking state (b) in a state of clouding Various phenomenological aspects of the experiences are discussed in turn, illustrated by brief descriptions of the experiences. The findings are discussed from the phenomenological point of view, and certain factors which were found to be associated with particular forms of hallucination are commented upon, viz, that there is an association between imagery and pseudohallucinations occurring in clear consciousness and a certain personality type that exhibits obsessional and attention-seeking features. No special factors were found to be associated with experiences in the half-waking state. True hallucinations in clear consciousness tend to be associated with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. True hallucinations in states of clouded consciousness may, it is postulated, be a heterogenous group of phenomena. The role of affects and psychogenesis is briefly commented upon.