Effects of Flotation-Versus Chamber-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (Rest) on Creativity and Realism under Stress and Non-Stress Conditions

Two studies examining different aspects of the Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (REST) were carried out. In the first study, 38 participants were assigned randomly to either a group that floated on one occasion or a group that was given floating on three occasions. Following this, the subjects performed a test of divergent creativity and a test of logic. In the second study, 32 participants were assigned randomly first to two groups, Flotation-REST or Chamber-REST groups, and then randomly assigned to two more groups, namely to either a Stress-group or to a Non-stress group. The most inportant dependent variables of this second study were derived from essay-writing which was adjudged on the basis of elaboration, liveliness, originality, and realism. The results did not indicate any differences deriving from one or three flotations; both groups performed worse on the test of logic but tended to be better on the test of creativity. Both REST groups were similarly relaxed after treatment although the Flotation-REST group showed altered states of consciousness to a greater degree. The Flotation-REST group showed more originality whereas the Chamber-REST group showed more elaboration and realism. The results are discussed from the standpoint of fluctuations within the primary-secondary process continuum.