The Experiencing Questionnaire: Locating exceptional reading moments

The Experiencing Questionnaire (EQ) is a 58-item instrument recently developed to assess some relatively uncommon but theoretically significant types of reading experience. Derived from the phenomenological conception of “experiencing,” it promises psychometrically sound access to the generative and self-altering aspects of literary reading. Results of preliminary studies indicate that EQ scales are reliable, that profiles of EQ scales differentiate theoretically relevant orientations toward literary reading (e.g., objective engagement, subjective engagement, secular enactive engagement, spiritual enactive engagement), and that the interactive combination of selected EQ scales reflects apex moments (sublime disquietude, sublime enthrallment) during literary reading.