Parapsychology: Summary, interpretations, conclusions

1
ParapsychologySummary, interpretations,
conclusions

• Matthew Smith

2
How convincing is evidence for psi?

• replicable parapsychology experiment?
• no effect repeatable on demand
• evidence either anecdotal or statistical
• anecdotal evidence capable of alternative
  explanations
• support for psi from meta-analyses

3
If psi is real...Does everybody possess psi
ability?

• Rhines approach assumed everybody possesses psi
• Process oriented research suggests individual
  differences
• Belief in psi
• Creativity
• Extraversion

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If psi is real...Can psi effects be enhanced?

• Training studies often unsuccessful
• Altered States of Consciousness appear beneficial
• Hypnosis
• Ganzfeld
• Expectancy seems to be important

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If psi is real...Can psi be applied?

• Healing?
• Gambling?
• Financial prediction?
• Psychic detection?
• Military applications?
• Psi operated machines?

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If psi is real...How does it work?
psychological theories...

• information processing model (Harvey Irwin)
• ESP stimuli evoke long-term memories
• processing capacity is limited
• PMIR model (Rex Stanford)
• psi-mediated instrumental response
• psi may occur without conscious awareness
• psi-conducive syndrome (William Braud/Charles
  Honorton)
• reduced sensory input and processing

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If psi is real...How does it work?
physical theories...

• psi appears incompatible with classical physics
• precognition effects precede causes
• PK action at a distance with no connective
  medium
• psi appears more compatible with modern physics
  (e.g., quantum physics)
• quantum phenomena do not obey classical laws of
  physics
• important role of observer
• EPR paradox action at a distance?

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What are the implications of psi?

• for philosophy
• for religion
• for consciousness
• for psychology
• for physics
• for biology
• for everyday life...?