Sense of Presence

‘Sense of presence’ experiences in bereavement and their relationship to mental health: A critical examination of a continuing controversy

by Adrian Coyle

Steffen, E., & Coyle, A. (2012). ‘Sense of presence’ experiences in bereavement and their relationship to mental health: A critical examination of a continuing controversy. In C. Murray (Ed.), Mental Health and Anomalous Experience (pp.33-56). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

The experience of sensing the presence of the deceased is a common occurrence following bereavement. Although this... more The experience of sensing the presence of the deceased is a common occurrence following bereavement. Although this experience tends to be reported as positive and meaningful by perceivers, for most of the twentieth century it has been described in pathologising terms in the bereavement literature. Recent decades have seen the publication of numerous studies that point to normality of this experience and its potential benefits for the bereaved perceivers' wellbeing. However, there is an ongoing debate within bereavement scholarship regarding the nature and healthiness of this experience. This chapter critically examines the extant literature concerning 'sense of presence' experiences and draws attention to the diversity of definitions and conceptualisations within which this experience can be interpreted. Research from a variety of perspectives, including attachment theory and the continuing bonds perspective, is discussed and emerging evidence is reported which suggests that those who can make sense of their experience within culturally-sanctioned (spiritual) conceptual frameworks enjoy greater benefits as a result. The discussion then focuses on meaning-making concerns with regard to this phenomenon and concludes with relevant practice recommendations.

MEC Spatial Presence Questionnaire (MEC-SPQ)

by Feliz Gouveia

SUBJECT TO EMBODIMENT : Rethinking Embodiment, Presence and the Body

by Nedine Kachornnamsong

Gothenburg University, ISSN: 1651-4769

With an objective to expand knowledge of physicality as an artistic tool, this paper explores the terms of... more With an objective to expand knowledge of physicality as an artistic tool, this paper explores the terms of phenomenological embodiment from the different perspective that is commonly applied in art theory. By presenting current researches from the field of new media development, the concept of embodiment is broadened from theory and practice of minimal art. The sense of  presence and the body in relation to human experience is also investigated for a better understanding in how we perceive and interact with the world. By conducting a research-in-practice, the outcome of the finding is also implemented into an interactive installation which focuses on an embodied experience.

‘Doing There’ vs. ‘Being There’: Performing Presence in Interactive Fiction

by Alf Seegert

Published in 'Journal of Gaming and Virtual Worlds" Vol. 1 Number 1.

The ability of computers to produce ‘presence’ – the visceral feeling of actually ‘being there’ – is typically... more The ability of computers to produce ‘presence’ – the visceral feeling of actually ‘being there’ – is typically associated with the presentation of intensive graphical effects. But studies on presence indicate that what players are able to ‘do’ in fact contributes more to their sense of presence than graphical realism. Keeping this in mind, I explore possibilities for 'performing’ presence in digital narratives, particularly through the non-graphical digital medium of interactive fiction. I draw from critical theorists (Barthes, Iser and especially Gumbrecht) as well as theorists of new media (Aarseth, Ryan, Montfort) to frame an investigation into two major aspects of presence production in interactive fiction, namely: 1) how interactive fiction generates presence through the exclusive use of verbal signifiers rather than graphical images, and 2) how it allows users to generate presence themselves through their own actions. I conclude by examining three works of interactive fiction: Adventure, All Roads and Luminous Horizon (Crowther and Woods 1975–6; Ingold 2006; O’Brian 2004).

Sense of presence experiences and meaning-making in bereavement: A qualitative analysis

by Adrian Coyle

Co-authored with Edith Steffen. Published in 2011 in Death Studies, 35, 579-609. Please contact me if you would like a copy of this paper but experience difficulty in locating it. From June 27 2012, a manuscript version of this paper can be downloaded from http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/25590/

This qualitative study aimed to explore the potential role that might be played by reported experience of ‘sensing the... more This qualitative study aimed to explore the potential role that might be played by reported experience of ‘sensing the presence of the deceased’ in meaning-making processes in bereavement. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve participants who reported having had such an experience and the transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Seven overarching themes were identified, three of which were considered central: ‘finding benefit in the continuation of the deceased’, ‘finding benefit in the continued relationship’, and ‘finding meaning through existential, spiritual, and religious sense-making’. While participants found many benefits in what they experienced, finding meaning beyond immediate coping seemed to require the availability of spiritual/religious frameworks which could be adopted or, if available but discrepant, could meaningfully accommodate the experience.

Felt presence: Paranoid delusion or hallucinatory social imagery? (2007)

by Tore Nielsen

The core of presence: Presence as perceptual illusion

by John Waterworth