Parapsychology Most sciences try to explain observable phenomena

Parapsychology “Most sciences try to explain observable phenomena. Parapsychologists try to observe unexplainable phenomena. ” By: Ashley Durkee and Jason Hester

Parapsychology n The study of certain reported but unsubstantiated events that have no presently known explanation. n No parapsychology experiment has ever been shown to have both positive results and be replicated by independent researchers.

ESP: Extrasensory Perception n ESP is the most testable and well known area of parapsychology n Often referred to as the “ 6 th sense. ” n 3 main types of ESP – – – Telepathy Clairvoyance Precognition

Telepathy one person sending thoughts to another or perceiving another's thoughts without using any of the five recognized senses. n Term was coined by F. W. Myers in 1882. n Popularized by fictional novels and movies.

Clairvoyance n French for “clear seeing” n The ability to “see” information about people, objects, or locations without using any of the five senses. n Includes crystal gazing and tea leaf reading.

Precognition n Knowledge of a future event or circumstance not obtained by inference or deduction, but by paranormal means. n Precognition is what most people mean when using the term “psychic. ”

Precognition n Dream interpretation – Many people believe dreams predict the future n Ex. Joseph in the Old Testament

Origin of Belief in ESP The term “ESP” was used as early as the late 19 th century. n Used to describe the ability of a person who had been hypnotized or in a trance state yet could sense things without using the five senses. n However, the phenomena of ESP may go back to Biblical times. n

Origins of Belief in ESP In Western culture, the founders of parapsychology were mostly people who lost their religious faith and began searching for a scientific basis for believing in the meaning of life and life after death (Alcock, 1985; Beloff, 1985).

Persistence of Belief in ESP n Misperceptions and Coincidences – Psychic connection between twins n Confirmation Bias/Selective Recall – Recollection of eerie happenings n Misinterpretation of Data – Inconsistent measuring techniques

Persistence of Belief in ESP n A survey published in 1987 by Univ. of Chicago found that 67% of all adult Americans believe they have experienced ESP, up from 58% in 1976. n According to leading Russian scientists, "Many people believe in clairvoyance, astrology, and other superstitions to compensate for the psychological discomforts of our time. "

Testing ESP “Because a good magician can do something shouldn't make you right away jump to the conclusion that it's a real phenomenon. ” - Richard Feynman

Testing ESP n Bem and Honorton’s Ganzfeld Studies n Uri Geller n J. B. Rhine n Pearce-Pratt Series

Testing ESP "Exteriorization of Sensitiveness. " A photograph of the sensitive was taken and the negative was then held by her a few moments. The operator, with a pin, scratched the hand on the negative. Instantly the sensitive ejaculated with pain, and a small red spot appeared on the back of her hand. This rapidly grew into the blister shown on the next slide.

“A person who talks a lot is sometimes right. ” – Spanish Proverb

What the Skeptics Say Most of the evidence for ESP is anecdotal and is dismissed by skeptics as based on one or more of the following: n n n n Incompetence or fraud by parapsychologists Cold reading Subjective validation Selective thinking and Confirmation bias Poor grasp of probabilities and of the law of truly large numbers Not falsifiable Gullibility, self-deception, and wishful thinking

What the Skeptics Say n After thousands of experiments, a reproducible ESP phenomenon has never been discovered, or has anyone produced any individual who can convincingly demonstrate psychic ability. n A National Research Council investigation of ESP concluded that "the best available evidence does not support the contention that these phenomena exist. ”

What the Skeptics Say U. S. National Research Council (1988) – A 2 year study concluded there was no scientific justification from research conducted over 130 years for the existence of parapsychological phenomena. – “the best scientific evidence does not justify that ESP -that is, gathering information about objects or thoughts without the intervention of known sensory mechanisms- exists. ”

Pursuit of Parapsychology n Over 200 colleges and universities in the U. S. alone have courses in parapsychology (yes, ASU is one of them, hint, you’re in it) with many offering degrees in the subject. n John F. Kennedy University’s Graduate School of Consciousness Studies offers a master’s degree in parapsychology.