Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Gibbons, Thomas Aquinas

Titel

Experience of hyperstartle

Ort / Verlag

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Erscheinungsjahr

1991

Link zum Volltext

• ProQuest

Quelle

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This dissertation is a heuristic inquiry into the phenomenon of the experience of hyperstartle. The purpose of this investigation was to learn more about the phenomenon of hyperstartle with its multiple physiological, psychological and emotional kaleidoscopic changes in terms of essence, themes, qualities and meanings. A qualitative research paradigm was chosen because of the descriptive type of data that was to be collected. The heuristic design allowed the researcher to form a depiction of the phenomenon of hyperstartle as it is experienced by the primary researcher and the co-researchers. A comprehensive literature review revealed a dearth of qualitative research investigating the hyperstartle experience and no heuristic research studies. In this study first person descriptions of the phenomenon were obtained from each of the eight participants, including the researcher. Analysis of the data revealed five essential themes relating to the experience of hyperstartle: (1) The stimulus, whether a minuscule happening or an actual crisis, is viewed by the hyperstartler as a life-threatening event. (2) A surge of energy is felt throughout the body. (3) Overload of the surge intensifies internal and external responses. (4) There is an intense need to flee that is felt internally and exhibited externally throughout the body. (5) A loss of centeredness is felt due to the accentuated feelings and the sense of being exposed to onlookers. The themes which evolved were substantiated with verbatim samples of the raw data and creatively portrayed in the data synthesis. The congruence of the findings and their social relevance were discussed, and suggestions were made of future research. Quantitative research focused on the electrophysiological, biological and response time components to the startle reflex and startle pattern. Relevant features of the hyperstartle experience were presented, discussed and related to this investigation in focus, methodology, findings, perspective and terminology.