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Plain English Summary
This is basically a greatest-hits tour of every major experiment claiming to show that psychic phenomena (called "psi" by researchers) are real. Parker and Brusewitz went through decades of studies -- from classic card-guessing experiments at Duke University to dream telepathy trials, remote viewing tests, and people trying to influence random number generators with their minds. They compiled the statistical results, and some numbers are genuinely eyebrow-raising: forced-choice precognition studies (where people try to predict future targets) showed astronomically significant results for specially selected participants. Mind-over-matter studies across 597 experiments hit a combined probability of one in a trillion against chance. The effects are small -- we're talking 51% hit rates where 50% is expected -- but they keep showing up. Perhaps their most provocative point: the most reliable finding in parapsychology is the "experimenter effect," meaning some researchers consistently get positive results while others don't, which they argue deserves serious scientific investigation rather than dismissal. The authors conclude these effects aren't trivial and warrant major research funding.
Actual Paper Abstract
The article has the purpose of making readily available for scrutiny primary sources relating to studies that give evidence of psi-phenomena. Although the list is not offered as providing compelling evidence or "proof" of psi, it is meant to provide a strong case for a recruitment of resources. The effects are not marginal or non-replicable ones although it is clear that in many cases they appear to be dependent on certain experimenters and participants. The presentation includes sources relating to classical studies, meta-analyses of replication studies, the testing of high scoring subjects, and proof-orientated experiments, as well as the critical appraisal of this work. Where possible, web site addresses are given where this material is available and accessible. Theory driven research is needed especially concerning the nature of the experimenter effect.
Research Notes
Hub paper by Parker (Gothenburg) and Brusewitz (Swedish SPR) spanning all major psi paradigms with annotated references and effect sizes. Builds on consensus lists (Beloff 1980, Wiklund 1984). Central argument: the experimenter effect is the most reliable finding in parapsychology and demands theory-driven investigation. Valuable as a cross-domain entry point and citation map for the library.
Annotated compendium of experimental psi evidence across all major paradigms (EJP vol. 18, pp. 33-51). Covers classical ESP (Brugmans, Rhine/Duke), high-scoring subjects (Bessent, Harribance, McMoneagle, Stepanek, Delmore), and meta-analyses: forced-choice precognition (Honorton & Ferrari 1989, astronomically significant, large effect for selected participants), PK/RNG (597 studies, p = 10⁻¹², 51% vs 50% hit rate), dice PK (π = .5016, p = .02), free-response ESP (d = .16), DMILS (d = 0.11), remote staring (d = 0.13), dream-ESP (Maimonides d = 0.33, replications d = 0.14), ganzfeld, remote viewing, extraversion (d = 0.20), sheep-goat effect, and experimenter effects. Concludes effects are not marginal and justify major research investment; calls for theory-driven process research.
Related Papers
Cites
- Does Psi Exist? Replicable Evidence for an Anomalous Process of Information Transfer — Bem, Daryl J (1994)
- Updating the Ganzfeld Database: A Victim of Its Own Success? — Bem, Daryl J (2001)
- "Future Telling": A Meta-Analysis of Forced-Choice Precognition Experiments, 1935-1987 — Honorton, Charles (1989)
- Evidence for Consciousness-Related Anomalies in Random Physical Systems — Radin, Dean I (1989)
- Effects of Consciousness on the Fall of Dice: A Meta-Analysis — Radin, Dean I (1991)
- Does Psi Exist? Lack of Replication of an Anomalous Process of Information Transfer — Milton, Julie (1999)
- Does Psi Exist? Comments on Milton and Wiseman's (1999) Meta-Analysis of Ganzfeld Research — Storm, Lance (2001)
- An Assessment of the Evidence for Psychic Functioning — Utts, Jessica (1996)
- Anomaly or Artifact? Comments on Bem and Honorton — Hyman, Ray (1994)
- Evaluation of a Program on Anomalous Mental Phenomena — Hyman, Ray (1996)
- Information transmission under conditions of sensory shielding — Targ, Russell (1974)
- Give the Null Hypothesis a Chance: Reasons to Remain Doubtful about the Existence of Psi — Alcock, James E (2003)
- Distant intentionality and the feeling of being stared at: Two meta-analyses — Schmidt, Stefan (2004)
Companion
- The Anomaly Called Psi: Recent Research and Criticism — Rao, K. Ramakrishna (1987)
- The Experimental Evidence for Parapsychological Phenomena: A Review — Cardeña, Etzel (2018)
- Further Possible Physiological Connectedness Between Identical Twins: The London Study — Parker, Adrian (2013)
- Give the Null Hypothesis a Chance: Reasons to Remain Doubtful about the Existence of Psi — Alcock, James E (2003)
- Phantasms of the Living — Gurney, Edmund (1886)
More in Overview
Editorial: Emerging Research: Self-Ascribed Parapsychological Abilities
When the Truth Is Out There: Counseling People Who Report Anomalous Experiences
What if consciousness is not an emergent property of the brain? Observational and empirical challenges to materialistic models
Is the Sun Conscious?
Inner Experience – Direct Access to Reality: A Complementarist Ontology and Dual Aspect Monism Support a Broader Epistemology
📋 Cite this paper
Parker, Adrian, Brusewitz, Göran (2003). A Compendium of the Evidence for Psi. European Journal of Parapsychology.
@article{parker_2003_compendium,
title = {A Compendium of the Evidence for Psi},
author = {Parker, Adrian and Brusewitz, Göran},
year = {2003},
journal = {European Journal of Parapsychology},
}