Does ASMR propensity reflect a mentally flexible mindset? Exploring the relationship between ASMR propensity, transliminality, emotional contagion, schizotypal traits, roleplaying ability, and creativity.
Consciousness and cognition August 1, 2023 Kayley L Zielinski-Nicolson, Natalie Roberts, Simon Boag
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is an altered state of consciousness involving changes in affect, relaxation, and tingling sensations. Online videos designed to trigger ASMR have become popular, and ASMR may improve sleep, emotion regulation, and relaxation, but understanding of ASMR propensity is limited. This study examined whether a mentally flexible cognitive style underlies the ability to experience ASMR. Among 376 undergraduate students, findings did not support an overall mentally flexible mindset. However, transliminality, emotional contagion susceptibility, positive schizotypal traits, and roleplaying ability all significantly positively predicted ASMR propensity. ASMR propensity represents several possible underlying cognitive styles related to enhanced imagination and perceptual ability, not simply mental flexibility.