DOCSLIB.ORG

Meta-Analysis in Parapsychology: I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Meta-Analysis in Parapsychology: I Australian Journal of Parapsychology 2006, Volume 6, Number 1, pp. 35-53 Technical Paper No. 11 Meta-Analysis in Parapsychology: I. The Ganzfeld Domain1 LANCE STORM ABSTRACT: The present article is a review of the ganzfeld meta-analytic literature. It is found that significant results were obtained in all but one ganzfeld meta-analysis¾that of J. Milton and R. Wiseman (1999). However, with combinatorial re-construction of the available databases and the uncovering of 11 studies overlooked by Milton and Wiseman, L. Storm and S. Ertel (2001) reconfirmed that the ganzfeld was still the paradigm that delivered one of the highest effect sizes of all the experimental domains in parapsychology. More recent studies support this finding. Parapsychologist and pioneer of ganzfeld research, Charles Honorton (Honorton, 1985) said that the ganzfeld demonstrates a “significant psi effect” (p. 81), and the evidence in the present article supports that claim. INTRODUCTION TO META-ANALYSIS Meta-analysis, a term coined by G. V. Glass in the 1970s, is “the statistical analysis of the summary findings of many empirical studies” (Glass, McGaw, & Smith, 1981, p. 21). By combining the data from a number of different studies, meta-analysis produces an increased data-set that may be analysed to yield a more powerful result. Glass et al. (1981) describe the characteristics of meta-analysis in the following way: 1 The author thanks the Bial Foundation for support in the preparation of this article. 35 Australian Journal of Parapsychology 1. “Meta-analysis is quantitative”—it organizes and extracts “information from large masses of data that are nearly incomprehensible by other means.” (p. 22). 2. “Meta-analysis does not prejudge research findings in terms of research quality.” This policy runs counter to the actions of critics of meta-analysis who would like to exclude many studies on the methodological grounds that they are poorly designed or treatments are badly implemented, even though “evidence is never given to support the assumption that these deficiencies . influence their findings.” (p. 22) 3. “Meta-analysis seeks general conclusions,” and “aims to derive a useful generalization that does not do violence to a more useful contingent or interactive conclusion.” (pp. 22-23) (Naturally, these assumptions have been criticised, and these assumptions will be addressed in the next section.) The importance and usefulness of the ‘meta-analytic’ approach was demonstrated decades ago by prominent statisticians, psychologists, and medical researchers (Cochran, 1954; Edgington, 1972a, 1972b; Fisher, 1932; Mantel & Haenszel, 1959; Mosteller & Bush, 1954; Tippett, 1931). The flexibility and diversity of applications of meta-analysis have also been well reviewed and described.2 Bullock and Svyantek (1985) point out that meta-analysis is “objectively verifiable, using measured concepts, quantitative data, and statistical analysis” (p. 112). As opposed to the traditional literature review, where the reviewer is prone to his or her own “subjective interpretation of results across studies” (p. 112), the reviewer’s selection bias in a meta- analytic review is more explicit, since the inclusion and exclusion of particular domains (i.e., ‘experimental types’ in the context of the present study) is so readily apparent. The advantage for the reader is that the philosophical persuasion and/or general intention of the author can be determined with ease so that the overall merits of the work can be more easily assessed. 2 For examples, see Glass et al.’s (1981, pp. 25-26) meta-analyses of studies relating to the efficacy of psychotherapy in treatment of asthma and alcoholism. See also the meta- analyses by Cook et al. (1992) of juvenile delinquency studies, and studies on psychoeducational care with adult surgical patients, among others. 36 Australian Journal of Parapsychology As mentioned, meta-analysis produces results that are not attainable by other means (at least, not without difficulty), but even these results may not end the debate over a specific area of controversy. Meta- analysis can never be conclusive. It provides a critical examination of the current status of research in a given area. However, by finding flaws in current meta-analytic techniques, and by identifying the more successful experimental domains through up-to-date meta-analytic procedures, newer, more focussed directions for parapsychology can be established, which, in the case of the parapsychologist, may help “settle the question” of whether or not psi exists (Broughton, 1991, p. 284). PARAPSYCHOLOGY AND META-ANALYSIS As will be seen in the next section and Part II of this series (in the next issue of Australian Journal of Parapsychology), meta-analysis has been a godsend for parapsychologists. Specifically, the direct benefits of meta-analysis for parapsychology become clear once it is understood that meta-analysis is the means by which the “signal” of the psi effect can be ‘distilled’ from the “noise” of chance with greater sensitivity than in any single study (Broughton, 1991, p. 281-282).3 Closely related to meta-analysis is the concept of replication. Rosenthal (1986) lists three main reasons for the so-called failure of many single studies to elicit significant psi effects, after previous successes with the same experimental design: 1. Pseudo-failure to replicate due to a poor consideration of the appropriateness of the statistical test(s) used. (See the illuminating example of a comparison between effect size and significance levels given by Rosenthal, 1986, pp. 317-318.) Essentially, the investigator may be too dependent on the significance (or not) of the p value. 3 In fact, the presence (‘signal’) of a paranormal effect can never be specifically demonstrated as and when it occurs, even if 100% of trials are hits. For example, an experiment by Rhine (1937/1950, pp. 74-76) showed 25 hits in 25 trials, but in such an experiment there is no means of distinguishing the successful calls that suggest psi effects from those calls attributable to chance. The statistical inference of a psi effect is always made in the knowledge that the effect is produced within a stochastic framework. 37 Australian Journal of Parapsychology 2. Pseudo-successful replications, where p values are less than .05, but the effect sizes are significantly different, and therefore have not been replicated. 3. Successful replication of Type II error—not finding an effect when one was present due to small sample size, or very weak effects. Consideration of the replication issue has led to an expansion of the meta- analytic methodology and a refinement of its technique (see Storm, 2005). Replication cannot be guaranteed, but it does come in forms other than rejection of the Null hypothesis (for example, replication of effect sizes, z scores, etc.). Meta-analysis is fast becoming the only acceptable evidence that psi might well be an “anomalous effect in need of an explanation” (Utts, 1991, p. 363). However, there is now a growing suspicion of meta-analysis, not simply because it provides suggestive evidence of psi, but because in controversial non-parapsychological fields, such as psychotherapy, meta- analysis is also providing favourable evidence (Smith & Glass, 1977). Thus have some critics (Bandura, 1978; Eysenck, 1978; Oakes, 1986; Shapiro & Shapiro, 1977) focused on the construct validity of meta-analysis. Arguments are made that data from methodologically flawed experiments are thrown into the ‘soup’ with the data from better-designed experiments, therefore corrupting the result. Different procedures in ostensibly the same kind of experiment may also yield a tainted result. Of course, the general implication derived by critics (that meta- analysis is a flawed procedure) also applies to meta-analysis in parapsychology. But these criticisms have not been ignored, and improvements have been made to control for the confounding factors. Rosenthal (1984) advocates differential weighting as an effective way of dealing with “variation in the quality of research” (p. 127). Hence the ‘blocking’ procedure is used to code experiments according to their ‘quality’ and type (i.e., methodology, hypothesis, etc.). Sample size and the population from which the sample is drawn are also critical considerations. Credit is given to studies if sample size is specified in advance, as well as the nature of the analyses¾pre-planned or post hoc. Acceptable randomisation methods are also credited, and even the date of the experiment and the identity of the investigator are now important criteria in meta-analytic studies (Broughton, 1991, p. 283). Although these procedures may be seen as subjective, some degree of qualitative assessment can be made about studies, and these assessments are converted to numerical values to arrive at a more objective, albeit pseudo-precise, 38 Australian Journal of Parapsychology numerical result that is still seen as a gain over previous methods which did not consider study quality. One important criticism made against meta-analysis in parapsychological research (applicable to meta-analysis in general) is that significant results are inevitable, since the majority of studies used in the analysis have significant results already. On the other hand, studies with nonsignificant results are never or are rarely published and, therefore, cannot be included in the meta-analysis (Hyman, 1985). This problem is often referred to as ‘selective reporting’. There are three factors that belie this criticism. First, parapsychology
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Is the Brain-Mind Quantum? a Theoretical Proposal with Supporting Evidence
    IS THE BRAIN-MIND QUANTUM? A THEORETICAL PROPOSAL WITH SUPPORTING EVIDENCE Stuart Kauffmana and Dean Radinb a Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] b Chief Scientist, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA; , Associated Distinguished Professor, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA, USA [email protected]. ORCID: 0000-0003-0041-322X Abstract If all aspects of the mind-brain relationship were adequately explained by classical physics, then there would be no need to propose alternative views. But faced with possibly unresolvable puzzles like qualia and free will, other approaches are required. We propose a non-substance dualism theory, following a suggestion by Heisenberg, whereby the world consists of both ontologically real Possibles that do not obey Aristotle’s law of the excluded middle, and ontologically real Actuals, that do obey the law of the excluded middle. Measurement converts Possibles into Actuals. This quantum-oriented approach solves numerous puzzles about the mind-brain relationship, but it also raises the intriguing possibility that some aspects of mind are nonlocal, and that mind plays an active role in the physical world. We suggest that the mind-brain relationship is partially quantum, and we present evidence supporting that proposition. Keywords: brain-mind, quantum biology, consciousness, quantum measurement 1. Introduction Of the three central mysteries in science, the Origin of the Universe, the Origin of Life, and the Origin of Consciousness, the last is the most challenging. As philosopher Jerry Fodor put it in 1992, “Nobody has the slightest idea how anything material could be conscious. Nobody even knows what it would be like to have the slightest idea about how anything could be conscious” [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Shamanism, Imagery Cultivation, and Psi-Signal Detection: a Theoretical Model, Experimental Protocol, and Preliminary Data Adam J
    International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Volume 31 | Issue 2 Article 11 7-1-2012 Shamanism, Imagery Cultivation, and Psi-Signal Detection: A Theoretical Model, Experimental Protocol, and Preliminary Data Adam J. Rock University of New England Lance Storm University of Adelaide Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/ijts-transpersonalstudies Part of the Anthropology Commons, Philosophy Commons, Psychology Commons, and the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Rock, A. J., & Storm, L. (2012). Rock, A. J., & Storm, L. (2012). Shamanism, imagery cultivation, and psi-signal detection: A theoretical model, experimental protocol, and preliminary data. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 31(2), 91–102.. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 31 (2). http://dx.doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2012.31.2.91 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License. This Special Topic Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals and Newsletters at Digital Commons @ CIIS. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Journal of Transpersonal Studies by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ CIIS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Shamanism, Imagery Cultivation, and Psi-Signal Detection: A Theoretical Model, Experimental Protocol, and Preliminary Data Cover Page Footnote Historically, transpersonal experience has been linked to paranormal or anomalous experience (i.e., psi, such as telepathy, psychokinesis, clairvoyance). In parapsychology, the Ganzfeld (i.e., a homogeneous visual and auditory field) is arguably the most widely used ostensibly psiconducive technique. However, one area of shared interest in parapsychology and transpersonal psychology is shamanic experience (see Daniels, 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • Enhancing Human Performance. Issues, Theories, and Techniques. INSTITUTION National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Washington, DC
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 296 127 CE 050 411 AUTHOR Druckman, Daniel, Ed.; Swets, John A., Ed. TITLE Enhancing Human Performance. Issues, Theories, and Techniques. INSTITUTION National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Washington, DC. Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. REPORT NO ISBN-0-309-03787-5 PUB DATE 88 NOTE 306p. AVAILABLE FROMNational Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20418 (Hardcover--ISBN-0-309-03792-1: $32.50; paperbound: $22.50; 5-24 copies: 15% discount; 25-499 copies: 25% discount). vlB TYPE Books (010) -- Reports - Research/Technical (143) EDRS PRICE MF01 Plus Postage. PC Not Available from EDRS. DESCRIPTORS Adult Education; *Cognitive Development; Group Dynamics; Influences; Interpersonal Relationship; *Learning Strategies; *Learning Theories; Motor Development; *Performance; *Psychomotor Skills; *Stress Management IDENTIFIERS Parapsychology ABSTRACT This report describes the activities, findings, and conclusions of a committee that examined the potential value of techniques proposed to enhance human performance. Chapter 1 provides the context for the study and the Army's interest in enhancing performance, characterizes particular techniques, and iT.roduces general issues in evaluating them. Chapter 2 presents findings about the techniques examined and conclusions about appropriate evaluation procedures. Chapter 3 treats the relevant evaluation issues more systematically and presents the committee's philosophy of evaluation. Chapters 4-8 deal with particular techniques
    [Show full text]
  • Psi Is Here to Stay Cardeña, Etzel
    Psi is here to stay Cardeña, Etzel Published in: Journal of Parapsychology 2012 Link to publication Citation for published version (APA): Cardeña, E. (2012). Psi is here to stay. Journal of Parapsychology, 76, 17-19. Total number of authors: 1 General rights Unless other specific re-use rights are stated the following general rights apply: Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal Read more about Creative commons licenses: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. LUND UNIVERSITY PO Box 117 221 00 Lund +46 46-222 00 00 Volume 76 / Supplement December, 2012 Special Issue Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Journal of Parapsychology Where Will Parapsychology Be in the Next 25 Years? Predictions and Prescriptions by 32 Leading Parapsychologists Parapsychology in 25 Years 2 EDITORIAL STAFF JOHN A. PALMER , Editor DAVID ROBERTS , Managing Editor DONALD S. BURDICK , Statistical Editor ROBERT GEBELEIN , Business Manager With the exception of special issues such as this, the Journal of Parapsychology is published twice a year, in Spring and Fall, by the Parapsychology Press, a subsidiary of the Rhine Research Center, 2741 Campus Walk Ave., Building 500, Durham, NC 27705.
    [Show full text]
  • Body Over Mind: No Body Never Mind
    Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. Body over Mind - ‘no body, never mind’ An exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Fine Arts At Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand Katherine May Joyce-Kellaway January 2013 Abstract My research critiques our visual and word-centric world through immersive installation environments. It explores our bodies’ sensory perceptual capabilities by creating new ways of experiencing the world through its somatic intelligence. By fabricating an environment that promotes subtle disorientations of a persons proprioception and simultaneously provoking a sensuous joyous response this slide between comfort and discomfort aspires to reinvigorate an old language - that of the gut. Only by being actively immersed in the work can these experiences be realized. This exegesis gives an understanding of the sources and processes in creating the work. II Acknowledgements and thanks I am extremely grateful to my husband, Tony whose devoted support, encouragement and determination to get me over the line proves that ‘love knows no bounds’. I am enormously indebted and grateful to my Mother and Father for their help in physically bringing to life my idea’s, through pain and sweat. Without your unconditional love and help there would have been many tears. A very special thank you to my wonderful supervisors Heather Galbraith and Eugene Hanson for their warmth, understanding, support and humour.
    [Show full text]
  • 1.1 Introduction to Paranormal Awareness
    1.1 INTRODUCTION TO PARANORMAL AWARENESS Paranormal is a common term that was coined somewhere in between 1915 to 1020. It was designated for all the experiences that cannot be included in the range of normal experiences of people easily explained by science. It means that paranormal are the experiences of people that are unexplained by science. Paranormal is the phenomenon that are unable to understand by science’s present ability to define it, as paranormal is not experienced by physical senses. “Paranormal phenomena are different from dark matter and dark energy and only insofar as paranormal phenomena are inconsistent with the world as already understood through empirical observation coupled with scientific methodology.’’ The definition ‘paranormal’ implies that, what we experience in the world around us has some scientific explanation and is considered as normal part of the word. On the other hand the ‘para’ implies to the experiences above or beyond our perspective world. Most of the researchers have agreed that paranormal phenomenon is so far not explained by the present science. “On the classification of paranormal subjects, Terence Hines in his book Pseudoscience and the Paranormal (2003) wrote: The paranormal can best be thought of as a subset of pseudoscience. What sets the paranormal apart from other pseudo sciences is a reliance on explanations for alleged phenomena that are well outside the bounds of established science. ” Now let me explain what these experiences that are considered as paranormal are. We all have heard of or experiences like having thought of someone and the same person visit us, or getting right news of distant friend, or making a right guess for any options.
    [Show full text]
  • An Experiment with Covert Ganzfeld Telepathy
    European Journal of Parapsychology c 2007 European Journal of Parapsychology Volume 22.1, pages 49–72 ISSN: 0168-7263 An Experiment with Covert Ganzfeld Telepathy Peter Putz,¨ Matthias Gaßler,¨ & Jirˇ´ı Wackermann Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health Department of Empirical and Analytical Psychophysics Freiburg i.Br., Germany Abstract The aim of our study was to test a modified ganzfeld telephathy pro- cedure, which conceals the intended anomalous information trans- fer. Forty pairs were recruited for ganzfeld sessions, each comprising three trials consisting of a ‘communication’ and a ‘rating/reporting’ phase. During the ‘communication’ phase (20 min), one member of the pair (A) was exposed to multimodal ganzfeld and reported her/his imagery, while the other (B) memorised a repeatedly presented video clip. In the ‘rating/reporting’ phase subject A rated the similarity of the ‘target clip’ and three ‘decoys’ to the ganzfeld imagery, while si- multaneously subject B gave a written account of the content of the presented target. Trials in which the highest score was assigned to the target clip were considered as correct identifications. In 39 out of 120 trials (32.5%) the presented target clip was correctly identified (p = .039). Statistics based on ranks of all four video clips revealed no significant deviations from chance expectancy. The modified exper- imental procedure (a) yields correct identification rates comparable with the traditional procedure, (b) allows study of ‘ganzfeld telepa- thy’ without confronting subjects with an ‘impossible task’. Introduction Dyadic communication in the ganzfeld (‘ganzfeld telepathy’) is an established paradigm in experimental parapsychology for the last few Correspondence details: Peter Putz,¨ Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health, Department of Empirical and Analytical Psychophysics, Wilhelmstrasse 3a, D-79098 Freiburg i.Br., Ger- many.
    [Show full text]
  • An Investigation of Music and Paranormal Phenomena
    PARAMUSICOLOGY: AN INVESTIGATION OF MUSIC AND PARANORMAL PHENOMENA Melvyn J. Willin Ph. D. Music Department University of Sheffield February 1999 IMAGING SERVICES NORTH Boston Spa, Wetherby West Yorkshire, LS23 7BQ www.bl.uk THESIS CONTAINS TAPE CASSETTE PARAMUSICOLOGY: AN INVESTIGATION OF MUSIC AND PARANORMALPBENOMENA Melvyn J. Willin SUMMARY The purpose of this thesis is to explore musical anomalies that are allegedly paranormal in origin. From a wide range of categories available, three areas are investigated: • music and telepathy • music written by mediums professedly contacted by dead composers • music being heard where the physical source of sound is unknown and presumed to be paranormal. In the first part a method of sensory masking (referred to as ganzfeld) is used to study the possibility of the emotional or physical content of music being capable of mind transference. A further experiment presents additional results relating to the highest scoring individuals in the previous trials. No systematic evidence for the telepathic communication of music was found. In the second section a number of mediums and the music they produced are investigated to examine the truthfulness of their claims of spiritual intervention in compositions and performances. Methods of composition are investigated and the music is analysed by experts. For the final part of the thesis locations are specified where reports of anomalous music have been asserted and people claiming to have heard such music are introduced and their statements examined. Literature from a variety of data bases is considered to ascertain whether the evidence for paranormal music consists of genuine material, misconceived perceptions or fraudulent claims.
    [Show full text]
  • The First Digital Autoganzfeld Study Using a Real-Time Judging Procedure
    European Journal of Parapsychology c 2004 European Journal of Parapsychology Volume 19, pages 66-97 ISSN: 0168-7263 The First Digital Autoganzfeld Study Using a Real-Time Judging Procedure Anneli Goulding∗, Joakim Westerlund∗∗ Adrian Parker∗ and Jiri Wackermann† ∗Department of Psychology, G¨oteborg University, Sweden ∗∗Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Sweden †Institut f¨ur Grenzgebiete der Psychologie und Psychohygiene, Freiburg, Germany Abstract A new technique for digital autoganzfeld is used, in which the re- ceiver’s mentation report is captured and automatically stored to a digital audio file to make possible a playback of the film clips (picture and film sound) and the mentation (sound) exactly synchronously. This also makes it possible to superimpose the mentation report on the three control (decoy) film clips. This feature might facilitate the evaluation of a trial and render better insights into the study of psi. Another advantage with the new digital system is that it is possi- ble to allow two target film clips to be used rather than one, which is a more time and cost efficient way of collecting data. In order to evaluate how well the newly developed digital autoganzfeld system works, it was used in 128 trials in which 64 pairs of receivers and senders took part. It was hypothesised that the digital ganzfeld result would statistically significantly exceed the mean chance expectation (25%) as measured by direct hits, the sessions being evaluated by an external judge. The result was a direct hit rate of 23% (p=.386, binomial one-tailed test), which was close to chance expectation. In half the trials, the receivers also evaluated their sessions, which re- sulted in a direct hit rate of 14% (p=.050, binomial two-tailed test).
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of the Best Evidence in Ganzfeld, Forced-Choice, Remote Viewing and Dream Studies
    6/20/2014 Explicit Anomalous Cognition: A Review of the Best Evidence in Ganzfeld, Forced-choice, Remote Viewing and Dream Studies Johann Baptista, Max Derakhshani and Patrizio Tressoldi To appear in The Parapsychology Handbook. Etzel Cardeña, John Palmer, and David Marcusson-Clavertz Eds. In its quest to demonstrate the reality of psi phenomena to the mainstream scientific community, parapsychology has rarely been afforded the luxury of dealing in averages. On the contrary, the field has had to develop a progressive ethos, a long and distinguished tradition of adopting the more rigorous and innovative techniques in science—sometimes even to the point of creating them. It is no coincidence, for example, that the first comprehensive meta-analysis in scientific history was performed by Rhine et al. on ESP card studies (Bösch, 2004), or that the first official policy of publishing null results was set out by the Parapsychological Association (Carter, 2010). Neither is it trivial that psi research has kept pace with associated mainstream and behavioral fields in terms of reproducibility—on a minimal budget (Baptista & Derakhshani, 2014); exceeded their criteria with respect to masking practices (Watt & Nagtegaal, 2004); and exceeded them again in terms of reporting negative results (Mosseau, 2003)1 . It should indeed be this way, for not only has parapsychology been subject to (and strengthened by) an intensified back-and-forth between proponents and skeptics along its history, but the claims it propounds have always demanded high standards of evidence. This is a fact recognized by sides of the psi debate. Our contribution to the Handbook is an attempt to further this point of agreement.
    [Show full text]
  • Is the Brain-Mind Quantum? a Theoretical Proposal with Supporting Evidence
    IS THE BRAIN-MIND QUANTUM? A THEORETICAL PROPOSAL WITH SUPPORTING EVIDENCE Stuart Kauffmana and Dean Radinb a Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] b Chief Scientist, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, [email protected] Abstract If all aspects of the mind-brain relationship were adequately explained by classical physics, then there would be no need to propose alternative views. But faced with possibly unresolvable puzzles like qualia and free will, other approaches are required. We propose a non-substance dualism theory, following a suggestion by Heisenberg, whereby the world consists of both ontologically real Possibles that do not obey Aristotle’s law of the excluded middle, and ontologically real Actuals, that do obey the law of the excluded middle. Measurement converts Possibles into Actuals. This quantum-oriented approach solves numerous puzzles about the mind-brain relationship, but it also raises the intriguing possibility that some aspects of mind are nonlocal, and that mind plays an active role in the physical world. We suggest that the mind-brain relationship is partially quantum, and we present evidence supporting that proposition. Keywords: brain-mind, quantum biology, consciousness. Introduction Of the three central mysteries in science, the Origin of the Universe, the Origin of Life, and the Origin of Consciousness, the last is the most challenging. As philosopher Jerry Fodor put it in 1992, “Nobody has the slightest idea how anything material could be conscious. Nobody even knows what it would be like to have the slightest idea about how anything could be conscious.”[1] Fodor’s quip still holds true today.
    [Show full text]
  • The Design and Implementation of the Telepathic Immersive Virtual Reality System
    The Design and Implementation of the Telepathic Immersive Virtual Reality System THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TELEPATHIC IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM Craig D. Murray 1, Toby Howard 2, Jezz Fox 1, Fabrice Caillette 2, Christine Simmonds-Moore 3 & David J. Wilde 1 1School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK 2School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, UK 3Department of Psychology, Liverpool Hope University, UK ABSTRACT This paper describes a project which has a focus on immersive virtual reality (IVR) as an experimental environment and medium for telepathy. IVR denotes the use of three-dimensional computer graphics technology to generate artificial environments that afford real-time interaction and exploration. These are intended to give the user an impression of being present (‘telepresence’) or immersed in a computer-generated world. A sense of immersion is promoted through the use of head mounted displays (HMDs). These present stereo images and sound to create a perceptually encompassing computer environment. An instrumented data glove allows participants to interact with virtual objects. We argue that IVR has a number of features which make it well suited for the study of telepathy, including a higher degree of experimental control, the co-location of senders and receivers, and the opportunity for more ‘natural’ and meaningful (to participants) experimental trials. In the early stages of the project we have focussed on developing an immersive virtual environment (the Telepathic Immersive Virtual Environment, or TIVE) which acts as the experimental environment for both ‘Sender’ and ‘Receiver’ in the later telepathy trials. This environment looks like a room: for example, it has a door, a window, a chair, a bookshelf and a potted plant.
    [Show full text]