Ekstreme oplevelser - Et psykologisk studie af "Edgework"

Abstract

The goal of this thesis is to understand why some people are drawn to the most extreme experiences, what they may gain from such experiences, and furthermore to discuss the validity of edgework as an analytical concept. To answer the research question “How can one best understand people's engagement in extreme experiences, and is edgework a valid analytical tool to understand such experiences?” three semi structured interviews were conducted and analysed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The analysis identified four themes: Desire for the extreme, coping, introspection, and the meaning of life. Theme 1: The desire for the extreme revealed that engagement in edgework activities granted the informants the opportunity to fulfill their innate needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence, as theorized by Self-Determination Theory. Theme 2: Coping illustrated how the informants may have used edgework as a coping strategy, as well as the fact that they all had a history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Their edgework however differed from their NSSI in regards to intentionality and safety measurements, and thus were deemed adaptive rather than maladaptive. Theme 3: Introspection showcased how edgework contributes to the informants’ self actualization process through a destruction of ego and Mead’s conceptualization of the “me”, and that this allows them to further process their past traumas and gain new perspectives on life. Theme 4: The meaning of life showed that edgework has potential to facilitate a profound sense of meaning for one’s life, either directly or as a tool. This was done through an incorporation of existential psychology, with the intention of grounding edgework in its continental philosophical roots. The study concludes that Stephen Lyngs conceptualization of edgework is a valid analytical tool to understand different extreme experiences. It supports Lyng’s focus on edgework as a form of resistance to alienation in an attempt to gain control, it argues that Lyng’s understanding cannot stand alone, as it lacks understanding for other sources of motivation. Thus it should be supplemented with theories that can complement the notion of edgework, such as Self-Determination Theory, and Viktor Frankl’s existentialism as this synthesis allows for a deeper understanding of people’s edgework engagement, although it is important to stress that these two complementary theories are not exhaustive either. The thesis further emphasizes the importance of psychological practice recognizing edgework as a valid conceptual model of people’s engagement in extreme activities to avoid pathologizing behaviour that deviates from the norm, and to approach individuals who seek out extreme activities with understand and empathy, to avoid ostracizing and othering them.

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A master thesis from Aalborg University

Ekstreme oplevelser - Et psykologisk studie af "Edgework"

[Limit-experiences - A psychological study of "Edgework"]