Basic Research in Parapsychology, 2d ed.

This expanded and revised text includes thirteen experimental reports (five new to this edition) and seven review articles involving meta-analysis and the assessment of evidence in specific areas of psi research. The author provides a representative sample of the extensive literature in the controversial field of parapsychology and presents a few basic experiments illustrating various procedures and broadly reflecting the major trends of psi research. Possible experimental procedures, cumulative evidence showing the replicability of individual experiments, and promising areas of psi research are also discussed.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Professor K. Ramakrishna Rao is a philosopher and psychologist with expertise in Indian psychology, consciousness studies and parapsychological research. He has published nearly 200 research papers and 15 books, and has served as the executive director of the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man; as founder, head and professor of the Department of Psychology and Parapsychology, and vice-chancellor, Andhra University; and currently as president of the Asian Congress of Philosophy.

Compiled and edited by K. Ramakrishna Rao
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 416
Bibliographic Info: bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2001
pISBN: 978-0-7864-1008-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2630-7
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

1. Introduction: Reality, Replicability, and Lawfulness of Psi      3

2. A Review of the Pearce-Pratt Distance Series of ESP Tests      38

3. PK Tests with a High-Speed Random Number Generator      50

4. Correlations of Random Binary Sequences with Pre-Stated Operator Intention: A Review of a 12-Year Program      63

5. Statistically Robust Anomalous Effects: Replication in Random Event Generator Experiments      89

6. Transcontinental Remote Viewing      94

7. An Assessment of the Evidence for Psychic Functioning      110

8. A Laboratory Approach to the Nocturnal Dimension of Paranormal Experience: Report of a Confirmatory Study Using the REM Monitoring Technique      142

9. Psychology and Anomalous Observations: The Question of ESP in Dreams      157

10. Experimenter Effects and the Remote Detection of Staring      181

11. Personality Characteristics of ESP Subjects: III. Extraversion and ESP      192

12. Extraversion and ESP Performance: A Meta-Analysis and a New Confirmation      205

13. Comments on the Extraversion-ESP Meta-Analysis by Honorton, Ferrari, and Bem      228

14. Further Studies of Relaxation as a Psi-Conducive State      234

15. ESP Card Tests of College Students with and without Hypnosis      251

16. Hypnotic Induction vs. Control Conditions: Illustrating an Approach to the Evaluation of Replicability in Parapsychological Data      262

17. Yogic Meditation and Psi Scoring in Forced-Choice and Free-Response Tests      287

18. Meta-Analysis of Psi Ganzfeld Research: A Response to Hyman      307

19. Does Psi Exist? Replicable Evidence for an Anomalous Process of Information Transfer      345

Contributors      381

Bibliography      389

Index      401

“a well-chosen set of research reports in experimental parapsychology…informative”—Choice; “at last!…excellent…most interesting, informative, and provocative…the spectacular results will excite a student’s interest and thus prepare well for lectures on related group studies or relevant theory”—The Journal of Parapsychology; “a useful volume to have at hand”—Journal of the Society for Psychical Research; “intriguing…a useful resource”—Contemporary Psychology; “excellent…highly recommended”—SSC Booknews; “worthwhile…useful”—Fate; “it is the only source-book of its kind”—Light; “very worthwhile”—Journal of Scientific Exploration.