Assessing Consciousness: The Consciousness Perception Questionnaire (CPQ)

Abstract

The present work is based in a dichotomy that is evident in the literature on consciousness. Research findings, which are often ‘counter-intuitive,’ are presented as being in opposition to the common (lay) perceptions of how consciousness is characterized. Authors often use these perceptions for contrast and as background against which to interpret their research results. However, the source of these perceptions is left uncertain, though presumably they are based in the author's understanding of consciousness rather than in measurement. Two studies were conducted to develop a questionnaire that would more directly assess lay perceptions of consciousness. Questions were based on such perceptions as conscious unity and conscious control of behavior. Results from principal components analyses, based on a total sample of 894 participants, indicate that the Consciousness Perception Questionnaire (CPQ) is a multidimensional measure of individuals' perceptions of consciousness. Consciousness is characterized by five distinct dimensions: internal versus external control attributions, perceived awareness of the sources of experience, dynamism, preference for physical over mental activity, and similarity to other functions. The five subscales have internal consistencies ranging from' .56 to .89. Furthermore, results indicate that the majority of these subscales appear to measure relatively stable perceptions of consciousness over time. Findings also suggest that this measure displays moderate concurrent validity versus the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory [1]. Normative data indicate that there is significant individual variance on the five emergent dimensions.