| Abstract: | Previous attempts to assess postmortem continuation beliefs have been hampered by unidimensional approaches and a lack of theory. We argue that core variations in postmortem beliefs can be described in terms of the fate of consciousness (awareness), identity (memory, personality), and physicality (the body) beyond the death event. Based on this theoretical framework, we constructed the Afterdeath Belief Scale, which measures five variations in belief: Annihilation, Disembodied Spirit, Spiritual Embodiment, Reincarnation, and Bodily Resurrection. We also assessed the extent to which people regard their beliefs and behaviors as efficacious in determining their fate beyond death. These new measures proved to be meaningfully related to self-reported religious affiliation, religiosity, spirituality, death concerns, mystical experience, and attitudes toward embodied existence. Implications for future research are discussed. |
