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Failure to Replicate Results of Bem “Correcting the Past: Failures to Repli- Experiments Published by Same Journal cate Psi.” The article is lengthy, but the central conclusion is succinctly stated: “Across seven experiments (N= 3,289), we replicate the procedure of Experiments Two years ago the prepublication re lease 8 and 9 from Bem (2011), which had orig- of a research paper by psychologist inally demonstrated retro active facilitation claiming experimental evi- of recall. We failed to replicate that find- dence for created a world- ing.” They further conducted a meta- wide media stir and intense controversy analysis of all replication attempts of the within the scientific and skeptical com- Bem experiments “and find that the aver- munities. age effect size (d = 0.04) is not different Bem, of Cornell University, claimed from 0.” that through nine experiments he had To put it even more directly (from the demonstrated the existence of precogni- beginning of their conclusions section): tion, specifically the existence of “con- “We conducted seven experiments test- scious cognitive awareness ...of a future ing for precognition and found no evi- event that could not otherwise be antic- dence supporting its existence.” ipated through any known inferential How can their results be reconciled process.” Essentially, he had claimed to Journal of Personality and Social Psychology © 2012 American Psychological Association 2012, Vol. 103, No. 6, 933–948 0022-3514/12/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/a0029709 with Bem’s? “It is unclear how Bem have produced evidence that Correcting the Past: Failures to Replicate Psi could find significant support for a hy- abilities not only exist but can transcend Jeff Galak Robyn A. LeBoeuf Carnegie Mellon University University of pothesis that appears to be untrue,” the time and allow the future to reach - Leif D. Nelson Joseph P. Simmons University of , Berkeley University of Pennsylvania authors say. They suggest such possibil- Across 7 experiments (N ϭ 3,289), we replicate the procedure of Experiments 8 and 9 from Bem (2011), ward to change the past. which had originally demonstrated retroactive facilitation of recall. We failed to replicate that finding. We further conduct a meta-analysis of all replication attempts of these experiments and find that the ities as what psychologists call Type I average effect size (d ϭ 0.04) is no different from 0. We discuss some reasons for differences between Informed critics of parapsychology the results in this article and those presented in Bem (2011). Keywords: psi, precognition, ESP, researcher degrees of freedom, meta-analysis error—a false rejection of the null hy-

were almost uniformly incredulous. Al- Recently, Bem (2011) published an extremely thought- provide the necessary tightly controlled experiments, the purpose provoking article demonstrating the existence of precognition, a of the current article is to conduct and to synthesize replications by pothesis. They also point to concerns “conscious cognitive awareness . . . of a future event that could not independent investigators. otherwise be anticipated through any known inferential process” though Bem is a respected psychologist, (p. 407). Through nine experiments, Bem found consistent support Psi Phenomena for the idea that people have such precognitive abilities. He sug- about researcher degrees of freedom, gested that these findings present examples of retroactive influ- The precognitive abilities reported by Bem (2011) emerged ence, through which future events influence people’s current re- across a range of tasks. As one example, in Experiment 1, Bem they found so many flaws in the research sponses and that more broadly these findings are instances of psi (2011) asked participants to select whether a picture would appear phenomena, or “anomalous processes of information or on the left side of the screen or the right side of the screen. which also raise the likelihood of falsely transfer that are currently unexplained in terms of known physical Participants’ selections were accurate more often than chance protocols and methods that in their view or biological mechanisms” (Bem, 2011, p. 407). would predict when the picture in question was an erotic one (but In his article, Bem (2011) acknowledged that psi is a contro- not a neutral, positive, or negative one), suggesting that people versial topic. He reported data suggesting that many, if not most, rejecting the null hy pothesis. While have precognitive abilities to detect where erotic stimuli will academic psychologists do not believe that psi phenomena exist. appear. the conclusions had no validity. One of Indeed, the publication of Bem’s research met with a wide variety Precognitive abilities also manifested on more complicated of reactions in the academic and popular media alike, and although tasks. For example, in Experiment 5, participants were asked to many experimental decisions are defen- some reactions were supportive, many were skeptical (Carey, choose which of two negatively arousing pictures they liked better. 2011a; Carey, 2011b; Wagenmakers, Wetzels, Borsboom, & van After this choice, the computer randomly selected one of the the most stinging re bukes came in the der Maas, 2011). In light of the surrounding psi and in pictures to serve as the target picture, which then flashed sublim- anticipation of the reaction to his article, Bem suggested that psi inally on the screen from 4 to 10 times. Research on the mere- sible, “because their application is at the researchers must conduct tightly controlled experiments that dem- exposure effect suggests that subliminal exposure to a negative onstrate psi and “that can be replicated by independent investiga- target increases liking of that target (i.e., causes habituation; form of an ex tended, in-depth critique of tors” (Bem, 2011, p. 407). Whereas Bem’s article may indeed Kunst-Wilson & Zajonc, 1980). Bem (2011) suggested that if people have precognitive abilities, their current liking of a negative discretion of the researcher examining picture would be enhanced by the fact that they will see that This article was published Online First August 27, 2012. picture several times in the future (even though they have no all nine experiments by York University Jeff Galak, Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University; known way of knowing that they will see it). Bem’s results Robyn A. LeBoeuf, Department of Marketing, University of Florida; Leif supported this prediction: When participants chose between neg- data after the completion of the exper- D. Nelson, Department of Marketing, University of California, Berkeley; ative picture pairs, they were more likely to prefer the one that Joseph P. Simmons, Operations and Information Management Department, would later be selected to be the subliminally presented target. University of Pennsylvania. Perhaps the most straightforward and impressive demonstration psychologist and CSI Executive Council We would like to thank Eduardo Andrade and Justin Kruger for crucial of precognition emerged in Bem’s (2011) Experiments 8 and 9, assistance with the project and Gia Nardini for her help in collecting data iment, they can make a true effect more for this article. which documented “retroactive facilitation of recall” (p. 419). In KEPTICAL Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jeff these studies, participants saw 48 words and then were asked to member James Alcock in the S Galak, Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 recall as many of those words as possible. Next, participants were Forbes Avenue, Office 381-D, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. E-mail: jgalak@ given a chance to practice a randomly chosen subset of the 48 difficult to discern. ... Researcher de- cmu.edu words by, for example, retyping them and recategorizing them. In INQUIRER (“Back from the Future: 933 grees of freedom do not make a finding Parapsy chology and the Bem Affair,” SI, false . . . but they do make it much March/April 2011; see also editorial various universities, but none were ac- harder to distinguish between truth and “Why the Bem Experiments are Not cepted for publication by JPSP. In fact, falseness in reported data.” Parapsychology’s Next Big Thing” in the it said it would not consider publishing They end by quoting philosopher of same issue). replication failures. This fact raised more Karl Popper: “An effect is not an Alcock also concluded that the jour- controversy and concern. effect unless it is replicable, and a sci- nal that published Bem’s study, the Jour- Now the journal has had an apparent ence is not a science unless it conducts nal of Personality and Social Psy chology change of heart. It has finally published (and values) attempted replications.” (JPSP), had done everyone a disservice a set of experiments that attempted (and They do compliment Bem for encour- by publishing this “badly flawed research failed) to replicate Bem’s results. Seven aging the independent replication of his article.” Parapsy chology and the journal’s experiments conducted by Jeff Galak of experiments. own reputation, he wrote, had been dam- Carnegie Mellon University, Robyn A. Alcock, who wrote SI’s 2011 critique, aged, and the article’s publication dis- LeBoeuf of the University of Florida, has mixed feelings about the Galak et served the public as well, “for it only adds Leif D. Nelson of the Uni versity of Cal- al. paper: to [public] confusion about the existence ifornia at Berkeley, and Joseph P. Sim- While I am happy that they carried of psi.” mons of the University of Pennsylvania out this research and that it was pub- Experiments attempting to replicate have been published in JPSP’s final issue lished, I find it very odd that they fo- Bem’s results were quickly conducted at of 2012 (Vol. 103, No. 6) under the title cused on Bem’s studies as though

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they had been carefully de signed and Here is his initial comment: al. paper may or may not bring to an end well-executed. They were so poorly The number and size of their experi- this latest dramatic claim of scientific designed and so badly executed that ments, the detailed analyses, along evidence of the , but—com- the results do not merit the careful with their inclusion of several other consideration that this research gives bined with the previous critiques—it ap- studies which fail to replicate Bem, de- pears to have dealt a serious blow. As Al- them. However, the experiments that prive the parapsychologists of their Galak address, #8 and #9, were the standard excuses for dismissing failed cock emphasized in his 2011 critique best of a bad lot. Nonetheless, I am replications. Bem and his supporters (and as Hyman has often also stressed), glad that they have done this research have one other excuse they can use. over the past eighty-odd years this kind and that it is in print. It counters They can, and will, point to ways in Bem’s claims very nicely, without ruf- which the Galak et al. experiments of drama has played out multiple times, fling any feathers I guess. differ from Bem’s experimental proto- and “each time parapsychologists ulti- col. The authors have anticipated this mately failed to persuade the scientific , professor of psychology and have adhered so closely to Bem’s world that parapsychological phenom- emeritus at the University of Ore gon and protocol, that whatever differences re- main appear trivial. ena (psi) really exist.” also a CSI Executive Coun cil member, is another longtime expert on such research. Publication by JPSP of the Galak et Kendrick Frazier is editor of the .

A Small Victory in the War on him I don’t have a problem with people who choose to waste their money on use- MATTHEW COPE less—or at best unproven—products, but I was surprised to see a display for a prod- ence and Society looks into the claims placing this display on the counter of the uct made and distributed by a company made by hazelwood promoters on its in- dispensary undermined customer confi- called Healing Hazel on the dispensary formative (and highly entertaining) blog dence in the credibility of his pharmacy. counter of my pharmacy, a branch of the site (http://blogs.mcgill.ca/oss/2012/03/ He immediately agreed and told me Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. in Montreal. 02/can-hazelwood-or-amber-necklaces- that the hazelwood products would be The product is available as a range of help-with-the-pain-of-babies-teething). moved elsewhere forthwith. He ex plained necklaces and bracelets made of hazel- Among its findings: that much as he would like to, he couldn’t wood links (prices range from about Hazelwood, they say, has the medicinal remove them altogether because the pur- $14.95–$24.95). The claims in the point- property of neutralizing the body’s chase had been made by his head office— of-sale material and the brochure imme- acidity. And what do the amber neck- the Jean Coutu Group. But he did add diately set my quackometer pinging into lace promoters claim as a mechanism that he refuses to sell homeopathic prod- the red zone. for the miraculous work of their prod- ucts in his pharmacy. uct? It releases succininic acid! It in- According to Healing Hazel, “Haz el - creases acidity! In conclusion, the McGill blog puts it wood helps neutralize acidity throughout There are several layers of nonsense best: the body,” and “Its significant benefits here. First of all, the body isn’t acidic or There is no science here, just some tes- have long been utilized by First Nations basic. That concept makes no sense. timonials, the same as one might get people.” It “works for the most part” to Body fluids such as blood, sweat or for any intervention be it a hazelwood urine can be acidic or basic, but not the relieve acne, eczema, psoriasis, kanker [sic] or amber necklace, or a suppository body itself. As far as blood goes, it has made from earwax collected by albino sores, ulcers, heartburn, arthritis, , to be alkaline with a pH between 7 and virgins from Ethi opian mountain headaches, , constipation, etc.” 7.4. If it wanders outside this range, it’s goats by the light of the full .... Its website (www.healinghazel.com/) a life-threatening situation. While it What makes people buy into such makes for interesting reading too, includ- may be possible to slightly alter blood folly? It’s the packaging. The necklaces ing the fact that they are now offering pH by diet, it certainly isn’t possible to come wrapped in a mix of scientific il- do so by wearing a necklace. literacy, simple credulity and wishful hazelwood/amber necklaces and bracelets thinking. promoted with similar claims: “When Healing Hazel offers no proof or sci- amber is worn on the skin, the warmth of ence, cites no properly conducted con- What the blog doesn’t say is that any the body releases trace amounts of heal- trolled double-blinded studies, one of us can make a difference. Arguing ing oils which is [sic] then absorbed into and offers no links to credible sources that with true believers is usually a waste of the blood stream [sic]. It is a natural rem- could back up its claims. time, but taking a small action where it edy for side effects associated with Clearly, by placing this on the counter might actually get results can be well teething, such as redness in the cheeks, of the dispensary, the pharmacy was tac- worth the effort. droolling [sic], diaper rashes, swollen itly endorsing the product. I brought my Matthew Cope works in Montreal’s burgeoning TV gums, etc.” concerns to the attention of the branch animation industry, writing scripts and story ed- The McGill University Office for Sci- owner, who is also a pharmacist. I told iting for a variety of shows.

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Hall, Novella Join Executive Council of Committee for Skeptical Inquiry

The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry has announced that two and have better armed us against the insidiously false and ab- luminaries of science and skepticism, CSI Fellows surd claims that pervade and the media.” and , have been elected to the Committee’s Exe - Members of the CSI Executive Coun cil are charged with de- cu tive Council. veloping programs for the Committee and making recommen- “We’re extremely fortunate to have two such important fig- dations on the activities and areas of activism on which CSI ures in the skeptic movement formally take leadership positions should focus. They serve on the editorial board of the SKEPTICAL at CSI,” said , executive director of the Com mittee for INQUIRER, assist and advise in conference and event planning, Skeptical Inquiry. “Dr. Hall and Dr. Novella have made extraor- take part in the election of new Fellows and Consultants, and dinary contributions to the public’s understanding of science, represent CSI at outside events and in the media.

Harriet A. Hall, MD, a retired Air Steven P. Novella, MD, is an academic Force and flight surgeon, clinical neurologist at Yale Uni versity has made a national name for her- School of Medicine. His column “The self by educating the public about Science of Medicine” ap pears in the pseudo scientific and so-called al- SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, and he is host of the ternative medicine. She is a con- popular weekly science podcast The tributing editor and frequent contrib- Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe. His utor to both the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Neuro LogicaBlog covers news and is- and Skeptic magazines, and wrote sues in neuroscience, skepticism, and “The Health In spector” column for O, , and he is founder and The Oprah Magazine. On the web, she contributes to the blog executive editor of the blog Science-Based Medicine. He is currently Science-Based Medicine and serves as an advisor for the president of the New England Skeptical Society, a senior fellow and website . In 2008, she published the book Director of Science-Based Medicine at the Educa- Women Aren’t Supposed to Fly: The Memoirs of a Female tional Foundation, and a founding fellow of the Institute for Science Flight Surgeon, and coauthored the 2012 textbook, Con- in Medicine. sumer Health: A Guide to Intelligent Decisions.

Bent Spoon Awarded to Homeopath GURMUKH MONGIA

For thirty years, the Australian Skep tics meningitis or anything you care to The award itself is constructed from have annually presented the Bent Spoon mention. They also claim that you a polished and glossy chunk of gopher Award in mockery of prominent pseudo- can use Home opa thy to treat domes- wood that (it is said) originated from tic violence, a bizarre claim indeed. If science. Richard Saunders, president of the Bent Spoon award helps shed Noah’s Ark. Affixed to this piece of the , says that he’s light on the activities of these people, wood is a spoon that (many believe) proud to be involved with this important then it’s well worth it. may have been used during the Last tradition: Supper. The spoon has been bent into a Alternative health advocates have graceful curve by unexplained energies The Bent Spoon is awarded each year often been the recipients of this award, that are (suspected to be) un known to by the Australian Skeptics to the per- including several anti- advo- petrator of the most preposterous science. piece of paranormal or pseudoscien- cates such as Dr. Viera Scheibner, the The Bent Spoon Award was first tific piffle. It’s meant as sort of a light company Gentle Heal Pty Ltd, and given out in 1982 to Tom Wards, a noto- hearted award, although it does have Meryl Dorey of the infamous Austral- rious “psychic” who made many predic- a serious side to it. Take the winner ian Vaccination Network. Almost half tions of world events that were remark- of the 2012 Bent Spoon Award: Fran of the Bent Spoon Awards have been able for their inaccuracy. Sheffield of Home opathy Plus. Now this is a group who advocates the use given out to promoters of “alternative The latest recipient of the Bent Spoon of Home opathy instead of health” practices, demonstrating just Award, Fran Sheffield, is a homeopath for polio or whooping cough or how widespread they are. based in who manages

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the Plus website. Sheffield Five New Fellows, Two Consultants Elected has, on more than one occasion, com- to Committee for Skeptical Inquiry pletely ignored sanctions from the Ther- The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry has elected five new Fellows. Hailing from a apeutic Goods Administration that would range of disciplines, they were chosen for their significant contributions to the public force her to take down misleading adver- understanding of science, reason, and critical inquiry through scholarship, writing, tisements and replace them with a severe and work in the media. On CSI’s roster of Fellows, past and present, they join the statement of retraction. likes of such legends as , , James Randi, E.O. Wilson, Elizabeth One outrageous claim from the Loftus, Eugenie C. Scott, Nobel laureates Murray Gell-Mann, Harry Kroto, and Steven Homeopathy Plus website is that home- Weinberg, and of course the late . The list of present Fellows appears on opathy “treats excesses of human behavior,” the inside cover of every issue of the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. including victims and perpetrators of do- Fellows are recommended by other Fellows and elected by the CSI Executive mestic violence. The website also labels the Council. That body met in Nashville October 28, 2012, immediately following the whooping cough as “unreliable,” CSICon 2012 conference there. and advises visitors to the website to “hot- The five new Fellows: foot it to your local homeo path if you are struggling with whooping cough.” David H. Gorski. surgeon and re - an inventor, he has been awarded more Approximately one in twelve Aus- searcher at the Barbara Ann Kar manos than one hundred U.S. patents. tralian babies (8 percent) has not been Cancer Institute and chief of the breast Joe Schwarcz. Director, McGill Office for section, Wayne State University fully immunized. For herd immunity to Science and Society. The office is dedi- School of Medicine, De troit, Michigan. take full effect, this number needs to be cated to helping the public separate Both an MD and a PhD, Gorski is manag- lowered. Herd immunity is extremely sense from nonsense. Schwarcz, who has ing editor of Science-Based Medicine, a a PhD in chemistry, is a professor at important for children who are not able blog exploring controversies in the rela- McGill Uni versity in Mon treal and is widely to receive proper immunization. These tionship between science and medicine. known, under the moniker “Dr. Joe,” for his children rely on herd immunity to keep Since first becoming interested in pseu- science popularization efforts including them safe. In November, the Australian doscience and “alternative” medicine books, public lectures, a weekly news- around 2000, he has become a frequent Academy of Science distributed a book- paper column, a weekly radio show, and blogger examining and exposing quack- let that dispelled the myths about vacci- frequent segments on the Discovery ery and . nation in an attempt to convince parents Channel . to do the right thing for the health of Terence Hines. Professor of Psychol ogy, Indre Viskontas. Cognitive neuroscien- Pace University, Pleasantville, . their children. tist, television and podcast host, and He is also an adjunct professor of neu- The Australian Skeptics also hope that opera singer, San Francisco, California. rology at New York Medical College, Val- their Bent Spoon Award will bring some With a PhD in neuroscience, her research halla, New York. His research interests in- much-needed attention to this issue. The has explored the neurological basis of clude genetic and cognitive bases for memory, reasoning, and creativity. She co- award was presented at a dinner during in the paranormal. Hines is author hosted the television show Miracle Detec- the Australian Skep tics’ national conven- of Pseudo science and the Paranormal, tives where she provided the scientific view tion. In addition to the Bent Spoon in its second edition, and he frequently in examining mysterious events. Since does critical reviews of work in parapsy- Award, the Australian Skeptics also gave February 2012, she has cohosted the chology. His PhD is from the University of out the 2012 Skeptic of the Year award. ’s radio show and pod- , where he was a student of Ray This more desirable award went to the cast Point of Inquiry. Hyman. lobby group Friends of Science in Medi- cine in recognition of their efforts to chal- Clifford A. Pickover. Scientist, au thor, edi- In addition to the new Fellows, two new lenge Australian universities that provide tor, IBM T.J. Watson Re search Center. Pick- Scientific and Technical Con sultants for courses in medical pseudoscience, such as over’s PhD is in the field of molecular bio- the Committee for Skepti cal Inquiry have physics and biochemistry, but his dozens been elected: , , re flexology, and of books range over the entire spectrum of Sharon Hill: Geologist, writer, re searcher, . science and mathematics to religion and creator and editor of the Doubtful News history. His three most recent are The Med- Gurmukh Mongia is a computer scientist working blog (doubtfulnews.com), Harrisburg, PA. in the field of web development. He currently op- ical Book, The Physics Book, and The Math erates a blog and podcast related to critical think- Book. Pickover’s books are motivated by his Tim Printy: Amateur astronomer, UFO ing, The Dumb asses Guide to Knowledge interest in bringing science, mathematics, skeptic, former Navy nuclear reactor oper- (www.dumbassguide.info). and creativity to the broader public. Also ator/division chief, Man chester, NH.

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Paul Kurtz Changed Registry for Parapsychological Experiments Views on Secularism CAROLINE WATT and Science A webpage for registering parapsycho- parapsychological experiments has and Rebecca Goldstein logical experiments has been imple- been discussed many times, but a reg- mented by the Koestler Parapsy - istry has not previously been available. It’s a bittersweet honor to say a few chology Unit (KPU) at the University This study registry provides an oppor- words in memory of our dear friend and of Edinburgh. Registration prior to tunity to demonstrate that the experi- a great man, Paul Kurtz. Before there conducting an experiment eliminates ments are free of common biases in ex- were celebrity atheists, there was Paul. many common biases in research and perimental research. These biases can Paul did not appear on the Col bert Re- is particularly valuable for controversial be very difficult to detect without port, did not write bestsellers, and did topics. It is a well-established practice prospective registration. Registration is not travel on coast-to-coast book tours. in medical research but has not been valuable for experiments conducted by But Paul did something deeper and formally practiced in parapsychology skeptics as well as for experiments by more fundamental that paved the way or academic psychology. proponents of the paranormal. Prospective registration makes a for those of us that came after him. The KPU study registry webpage is planned experiment a matter of public Paul, first of all, changed the world’s at http://www.koestler-parapsychol- record, which prevents the suppression view of what it meant to be a champion ogy.psy.ed.ac.uk/TrialRegistry.html. of results that do not come out the way of secularism and science. He did not Other options for study registration the experimenters hoped. Registration may become available in the future. The define himself as an atheist, in terms of includes the specific hypotheses that something we should not be lieve in, but KPU registry webpage is also intended are planned, which prevents experi- to serve as a resource that will provide rather as a humanist, in terms of things menters from adapting the experimen- we should believe in. In his various hu- information about other registration tal hypotheses to match the results or options as they become available. manist manifestos, Paul laid out a posi- reporting results for only the analyses tive agenda for a defensible, enlightened, with favorable outcomes. Medical jour- Caroline Wattis at the Koestler Para psychology moral worldview, one that did not de- nals increasingly require registration of Unit, Department of Psy chology, School of Phi- pend on dogma or supernatural agents, studies as a condition for publication. losophy, Psychology, and Language , but that laid out a moral vision and The value of study registration for University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. agenda that we could positively believe in and work to fulfill. Paul also built institutions: brick and Long Island Chicanery: mortar institutions but also magazines Old Tricks in a New Package and book imprints and associations that BRYAN FARHA outlived him and that carried his mes- sage to a much greater audience than any . . the show is now enjoying its second single person could have done on his . It’s starting to sound season, its inaugural season netted 1.3 own. like a broken record, but make way million viewers per episode. So, in mourning Paul’s passing, we for the next in a long list of alleged Forgive me for describing Ca- certainly can’t comfort ourselves with the who have hit it big with the puto’s methods using the same old thought that he’s up there looking down media—Teresa Caputo. You proba- terms and phrases you’ve heard in de- on us, or that we’ll meet him again bly know her from the Long Island scribing those of the others men- someday. Paul would be the last person Medium, a popular television show on tioned in the previous paragraph— that would tolerate such bromides. But Te Learning Channel (TLC). To no subjective validation, fishing, cold we can comfort ourselves with some- skeptic’s surprise, TLC in recent years reading, and warm reading—but thing deeper: that Paul left us a world has been using the word “learning” that’s what it is. that was better for his efforts. very loosely (although I credit their Teresa Caputo likes to give pre- sister network, Discovery Channel, sumably “impromptu” readings (al- Steven Pinker is Johnstone Family Pro fessor in for airing critical-thinking shows like though I don’t assume that anything the Department of Psychology at Harvard Uni- Mythbusters). is is genuinely impromptu in an edited versity. yet another show devoid of scientific program). She does this by giving Rebecca Goldstein is a novelist and philosopher and is currently the Franke Fellow at the Whit- scrutiny by TLC, most assuredly be- readings while she is out and about ney Humanities Center, . cause of the almighty dollar. While doing her daily errands and such. I

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started noticing that when she gives with yet another Anderson Live audience convincing a group of skeptics that she readings to passers-by—in one instance member: “So who was buried in a red has true psychic ability? Did you hear at a supermarket—that they were no- dress?” Complete silence. Ouch. Ques- about this one? Tere has to be a catch, ticeably less detailed (“I can tell that tioning another audience member (who right? As it turns out, according to CSI your mother is with you”) than when had lost her mother), “Is your dad also web columnist , the she would read an employee at a retail departed as well?” She responded, “Yes.” “skeptics” were a group of Caputo’s hus- outlet. Te employees got a more de- Caputo says, “So know that they are to- band’s friends in the motorcycle shop tailed reading, like she did in a coffee gether.” Tis made the audience mem- where he was employed. Her husband’s shop with an employee’s mother in one ber feel comforted. But there’s a prob- friends. episode (“Your mother—she told me lem with this exchange. If Caputo knew So why is she so popular? First, she she was a seamstress”). Why would this that they were together, why did she has the same fast-paced speech and be? While I can’t be certain of this, it need to ask if her father had departed? rapid-fire readings that helped John could be that the employee is likely Edward to fame. Tis is a huge advan- present in the establishment each time Long Island Medium tage because it doesn’t give the person Caputo visits the retailer and she could being read time to calculate hits and be finding out information in advance. is yet another show misses. But it sure seems like there have Don’t many employees have name tags? devoid of scientific been many hits. Terefore, there are Hmmm. Of course, the general reading more readings to be subjectively vali- (, in fact) elicited tears since scrutiny by The dated in a shorter amount of time, lead- it was a heart-warming message. Learning Channel, ing to perceived accuracy (even though But what psychic’s record is com- most assuredly the rate of hits is poor). Second, she has plete without incorrect assertions as a novel twist in that her TLC gig is, es- well? On Anderson Live, Caputo asked because of the sentially, a reality show. Recall the im- a man in the audience—knowing his promptu readings of strangers (in the wife had died—“Is that your wedding almighty dollar. David Blaine and Criss Angel tradi- ring [from your wife]?” Te man replied, tion). Again, I’m not staking my pay- “No, it’s my mother’s.” Caputo was check on these being truly impromptu wrong. Regarding furniture, Caputo Caputo was busted, but I’m sure loyal encounters, but at least the illusion of asked the man, “Do you still have the believers would dismiss the failure. such has been created. It’s a fresh twist chair?” to which the man replied, “No.” Tis train of logic (or illogic) is sim- for a psychic television show. Same Wrong again. Caputo continues, “Did ilar to what she said at the start of one song—different verse. she have an issue with her legs prior to of her TLC programs: “When I told my Teresa Caputo won the Pigasus her passing?”—the man replies, “No.” husband I was a medium, he didn’t Award for Performance from the James Wrong yet again. Adept at fishing (ask- know what to say.” Wanting the viewer Randi Educational Foundation in 2012. ing a question to a large group of peo- to believe she had to tell her husband ple, hoping that just one will answer she was a psychic after being married Performance is the operative word. As positively), she cleverly asked the entire several years is a hard pill to swallow. He for Te Learning Channel, what have audience (250 to 300 people) if some- couldn’t figure it out for himself? It also we really learned? Now, for the saddest one they knew had an issue with their doesn’t square with her saying on An- part of all: Why do so many people legs—so the failure was overlooked and derson Live that she has been psychic all want to watch it? As usual, it tells us attention was diverted to someone on the her life. If so, her husband should have more about ourselves than it does Ca- other side of the studio. Tis happened known from the get-go. Hmmm. puto or TLC. with lightning speed, so the inaccuracies Now for the million-dollar question: Acknowledgments were unnoticed by most. Why does Teresa Caputo receive so She commented to another person many disconfirming answers from the Tanks to my friend Denise for asking whose mother had passed, “So when subject being read when she’s a guest on me to investigate Caputo and to Kai for you would sit with mom [when you felt other television shows, yet more con- urging me to write this piece. her spirit], you would feel the presence firming answers when on her own pro- of others who had departed—is that gram? Do I really have to answer this, Bryan Farha correct?” Te audience member shook or can I just say that it’s much easier for is professor of Behavioral Stud- her head “no.” Once again, wrong. a magician to do card tricks when ies in Education at Oklahoma City University. Sometimes even fishing to the masses they’re using their own deck of cards? He is a CSI consultant and editor of Paranor- fails and psychics really wind up with But what about some of the appar- mal Claims: A Critical Analysis. His e-mail ad- egg on their faces—like Caputo did ently amazing things she’s done, like dress is [email protected] .

Skeptical Inquirer | March/April 2013 11