2 Resource Document - Research Proposal An Experimental Investigation of Past-Life Experiences Dr. Paul F. Cunningham August 2009 Copyright @ 2009 by Cunningham Resource Document - Research Proposal 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. RESEARCH PROPOSAL Page A. Introduction 1. Context of the Problem.......................................................................................................... 7 2. Statement of the Problem.................................................................................................... 8 3. Review of the Literature........................................................................................Appendix H 4. Statement of the Hypotheses................................................................................................ 9 5. Rationale for the Hypotheses............................................................................................... 9 6. Operational Definition of Variables.................................................................................... 10 7. Operational Restatement of the Hypotheses (Predictions)................................................... 10 8. Significance of the Study.................................................................................................... 12 B. Method 1. Participants a. Method of Soliciting Volunteers………………....................…………………… 13 2. Task Instructions -- Regression Suggestion...................................................................... 13 3. Independent Variables a. Moderator -- Responsiveness to Regression Suggestion..................................... 14 b. Moderator -- Hypnotizability................................................................................ 14 c. Moderator -- Hypnotic Depth.............................................................................. 16 3. Dependent Variables a. Inquiry into Possible Normal Sources of Information......................................... 17 b. Belief and Attitude toward Reincarnation Questionnaires................................. 17 c. Response to Past-Life Suggestion Questionnaires.............................................. 17 4. Procedures a. Session 1 -- CURSS Assessment of Hypnotizability........................................... 18 b. Session 2 -- Hypnotic Past Life Regression Session........................................... 20 i. Orienting instructions.......................................................................... 20 ii. Reporting hypnotic depth and honest reports....................................... 20 iii. Hypnotic induction............................................................................... 21 iv. Age-regression suggestions.................................................................. 23 v. Past-life regression suggestion.............................................................. 24 - No past-life responders................................................................... 25 - Past-life responders........................................................................ 25 - Inquiry into possible normal acquisition of information................ 26 vi. Awakening instructions......................................................................... 26 4 Resource Document - Research Proposal Page c. Posttests i. Belief and Attitude toward Reincarnation Questionnaires................... 27 ii. Response to Past-Life Suggestion Questionnaires................................ 27 d. Steps Taken to Minimize Potential Stress........................................................... 27 C. Results 1. Data Analysis a. Demographics of Past-Life Identities.................................................................. 28 b. Historical Accuracy Analysis............................................................................... 28 c. Correlations Among Variables............................................................................... 28 d. Mean Differences.................................................................................................. 28 e. Predictors of Past-Life Reporting......................................................................... 28 D. Questions to Answer in Analyzing and Critically Evaluating A Research Study................................28 II. RESEARCH REVIEW BOARD APPLICATION A. Cover Letter....................................................................................................................................... 29 B. Informed Consent.............................................................................................................................. 31 C. Addendum -- Hypnosis and Risks to Human Subjects..................................................................... 33 D. Assurance of Principle Investigator.................................................................................................. 40 III. APPENDICES A. Informed Consent.............................................................................................................................. 41 B. CURSS Hypnotic Induction Procedure and Test Suggestions Transcript........................................ 43 C. The Carleton University Responsiveness to Suggestion Scale (CURSS)........................................ 43 D. Debriefing -- Assessment of Hypnotic Responsiveness Session 1 (Verbal Feedback).................... 43 E. Debriefing -- Hypnotic Past-Life Experience Session 2 (Verbal Feedback).................................. 44 F. Posttest Questionnaires.................................................................................................................... 45 G. Two Alternative Research Designs/Regression Interview Questions............................................. 49 Resource Document - Research Proposal 5 IV. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE (Appendix H) Page A. Hypnosis and Memory 1. What is Hypnosis?............................................................................................................... 53 a. In-depth: "Trance and the Generalized Reality Orientation" (Shor, 1979)........... 56 2. Speaking during Hypnosis.................................................................................................. 57 3. Complexities in Understanding Hypnotic Memory............................................................ 58 a. In-depth: "The use of hypnosis to enhance recall" (Dywan & Bowers, 1983)..... 61 b. In-depth: "False memory propensity in people reporting recovered memories of past lives" (Meyersburg, Bogdan, Gallo, & McNally,2009............................. 62 4. Philosophic interlude: Memory and the Nature of Time Past............................................. 63 5. Hypnosis and Risks to Human Subjects............................................................................ 65 B. Past-Life Experiences (PLEs) 1. Definitions of PLEs........................................................................................................... 70 2. Frequency of PLEs............................................................................................................. 70 C. Spontaneous PLEs in Children 1. Stevenson's Classic Research.............................................................................................. 72 a. In-depth: "Children Who Remember Past Lives" (Stevenson, 1987).................. 72 b. In-depth: "American Children Who Claim to Remember Previous lives" (Stevenson, 1983)................................................................................................. 74 c. In-depth: "Setting Criteria for Ideal Reincarnation Research" (Edelmann & Bernett (2007)...................................................................... 75 D. Xenoglossy 1. Speaking Unlearned Languages..................................................................................76 a. In-depth: "A Preliminary Report of a New Case of Responsive Xenoglossy: The Case of Gretchen" (Stevenson, 1977)............................. 77 b. In-depth: "A Preliminary Report on an Unusual Case of the Reincarnation Type with Xenoglossy" (Stevenson & Pasricha, 1980)..................................78 E. Hypnotic Past-Life Regression 1. Characteristics, Perspectives, and Forms of Suggestions………………................ 79 2. Past-Life Therapy………………………………………………………................. 81 3. Age-regression and Past-Life Regression in Hypnosis............................................. 83 a. In-depth: "How the case of The Search for Bridey Murphy Stands Today" (Ducasse, 1960)…………………………………………… 85 b. In-depth: "An unusual case of hypnotic regression with some unexplained contents" (Tarazi, 1990)................................................................ 86 6 Resource Document - Research Proposal c. In-depth: "Past lives and hypnosis" (Ramster, 1994).............................. 89 d. In depth: "Hypnosis and the reincarnation hypothesis" (Venn, 1986)................ 91 e. In-depth: "A case of emergence of a latent memory under hypnosis" (Dickinson, 1911).................................................................................... 92 f. In-depth: "Dynamic relation of the secondary personality induced by hypnosis to the present personality" (Kampman & Hirvenoja, 1978)........ 93 g. In-depth: "An experimental study of a hypnotically induced past-life identity" (Kampman, 1976)....................................................................................... 94 h. In-depth: "The effect of suggestion on past-lives regression" (Baker, 1982)........ 95 i. In-depth: "Secondary identity enactments during hypnotic past-life