Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R00060056Q001 -0
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
>0001-0
JPRS-UBB-86-013-L
25 JUNE 1986
USSR
Report
LIFE SCIENCES
BIOMEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
FBIS
FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Selective Attention and Eye Movement Control
(V.I.
Belopolskiy; PSIKHOLOGICHESKIY ZHURNAL,
No
3, May-Jun
85)
117
Book:
Brain Processing of Visual Signals
(ZRENIYE
I MYSHLENIYE,
1985)
141
Error—Detecting Neurons
in Subcortical Structures of
the
Human Brain
(N.P.
Bekhtereva,
Yu.
D.
Kropotov,
et
al.
;
DOKLADY
AKADEMII NAUK SSSR,
No
5,
Dec
85)
144
PUBLIC HEALTH
Book:
Current Issues
in Medicine and Public Health
(MET0D0L0G ICHESKIYE PROBLEMY MEDITSINY
I BIOLOGII,
1985).
148
PSYCHOLOGY
Instruments and Equipment for Study of Psychophysiological
Characteristics of Man
(G.V.
Lozhkin,
V.V.
Spasennikov; PSIKHOLOGICHESKIY
ZHURNAL, No
4,
Jul-Aug
85)
Book:
Psychological Patterns of Perception and Memory
(PS IKHOF IZIOLOGICHESKIYE ZAKONOMERNOSTI VOSPRIYATIYA
I PAMYATI,
1985)
Investigations of So-Called
’ Extrasensory*
Perception
(N.K. Lipgart*
V.
V.
Ivanov,
et
al.
; PSIKHOLOGICHESKIY
ZHURNAL, No
3, May-Jun
85)
155
160
163
MISCELLANEOUS
Book:
Research at USSR Academy of Medical Sciences
(TRUDY AKADEMII MEDITSINSKIKH NAUK SSSR. TOM
I,
1986)
169 J
Book: Mathematical and Computer Methods
in Biology
(MAI Li-iAT 1 CHESKIYE
I VYCHISLITELNYYE METODY V
BIOLOGII.
TEZISY DOKLADOV,
1985)
172
c
Approved For Release Sf0®(J/ee^^^-^l?l*96-OO792ROOO6OO56OOO1-O
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
INVESTIGATIONS OF SO-CALLED
EXTRASENSORY*
PERCEPTION
Moscow PSIKHOLOGICHESKIY ZHURNAL in Russian Vol
b,
No
3, May-Jun 85 pp 9b-99
[Article
by Natalia Karlovna Lipgart, doctor of medical sciences, department
head,
Vsevolod
Victorovich
Ivanov,
scientific
associate,
and
Boris
Konstantinovich Pashnev,
psychologist, Kharkov Research Institute of Neurology
and Psychiatry]
[Text]
We set the task of investigating the psychophysiological mechanisms of
so-called
Extrasensory 11
perception.
More
than
300
essentially
healthy
subjects
of both sexes,
different ages and educational requirements,
and
a
wide
range of occupations,
as well as
32 so-called "extrasenses" possessing,
according to their claim,
phenomenal powers,
took part in the investigation.
We selected man's ^perception of biofields" and the "biofield
effect" as
the
examined phenomenon.
Mechanisms
of appearance of "field sensations" under conditions of simulation
of
apparatus
irradiation
were
initially
clarified
in
experiments.
The
experiment
was
conducted
with a group
(38 people)
of
essentially
healthy
subjects of both sexes aged
19 to
32.
The
"irradiation" of subjects on an individual basis
by a device
consisting
of an oscillograph of the
30-1 type and a VZ-3 voltmeter with a high-frequency
head,
which
played
the
part of a "directional antenna," was simulated.
The
apparatus was not connected to a network.
The
"radiator's
antenna"
was moved by
experimenters
successively
closer,
farther,
and
to the right and left of the subject positioned in front of it
at
a
distance
of
1.5 to
m.
Furthermore,
a
change
in
"irradiation
frequencies"
by
switching voltmeter tumblers
was simulated three times.
Before
the
beginning
of the experiment subjects
were
given
a
stereotype
instruction
to the effect that new equipment for
a remote effect on man would
be
investigated.
It was pointed out that subjects should
seemingly
become
expert
evaluators,
because the capabilities of this apparatus were
not
yet
known.
Perhaps,
it
did
not have any capability of affecting
man.
Thus,
subjects were not clearly programed
to receive
the given sensations.
163
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
Approved For Release 20p^0§,f9fc^£iyyg[^^-00792R000600560001-0
Before
the beginning of the experiment subjects were supposed to analyze
the
existence
(or absence) of any specific or nonspecific sensations during rest.
Such sensations were not noted in the overwhelming majority.
A mild headache
was observed in one man and the phenomenon of rhinitis,
in another.
In
the
course of the experiment subjects were instructed to
closely
follow
and,
upon the completion of the experiment,
to record
in their
self-reports
their
sensations and the dynamics and localization of the latter,
as well as
to
give
their
interpretation of the reasons for the
change
in
sensations
(distance, direction, and
"power'* of irradiation).
All subjects noted the appearance during the experiment of specific indefinite
sensations
(heat,
cold,
tingling,
vibration,
pressure,
etc.) with a primary
spontaneous
localization
in
the
areas of the wrists
and
the
head.
The
appearance
of spontaneous visual illusions
(light and so forth) was noted
in
eight
subjects .
The
dynamics
of
sensations
fully
corresponded
to
the
simulated "switching of the instrument" and had an appropriate
interpretation
by
all
subjects.
It is characteristic that in the indicated two
cases
of
indisposition
before
the beginning of the experiment
(headache and
rhinitis)
disease symptoms disappeared after "irradiation."
As a consequence of another experiment with a similar instrument,
in which
essentially
healthy subjects programmed
to receive the given sensations
took
part
(the instruction stressed the efficient effect of the instrument on man),
identical results were obtained.
However,
it should
be stressed that in this
group
sensations recorded by subjects were more pronounced and localized than
in the first group and,
furthermore, relaxation and somnolence occurred in six
subjects.
An
analysis of self-reports and observations makes
it possible
to
interpret
the
sensations of subjects as an activation of "sensory noise"
in the sphere
of
cutaneous
and
other
analyzers under conditions
of
expectation
of
an
undetermined
effect.
On this basis the mechanism of probability forecasting
actively
forms
the
presumed
sensations
or states in
the
sphere
of
the
appropriate
analyzer.
A
subjective
evaluation
in
self-reports
of
the
phenomena of perception arising in the process and the localization and degree
of
their
intensity corresponded to the subject's psychological set
and
the
degree of his assumed information on the nature and
"quality" of the effect.
Thus,
depending
on the subject's psychological set a self-evaluation of
his
occurring
sensations
potentiated
their
further
development
according
to
mechanisms
of
autosuggestion
even up to the level of
illusory
perception.
Therefore,
we assume that in the process of formation of illusory
perception
not only suggestion,
but also autosuggestion,
can play an especially important
role.
ior
the study of the
^fg
lct."I we conducted the following experiment,
in
which
58 essentially healthy subjects of both sexes aged
to
took
part
.
Befors-
the
beginning
of
the experiment subjects
were
given
a
standard
instruction to the effect that six "extrasenses," of whom one was
"especially
164
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
strong,"
one
was
"weak," and four were approximately at the same
level
of
"strength" would successively conduct an experiment with them
now.
Subjects
were
supposed
to record in their self-reports their sensations and state
and
the dynamics of the latter,
as well as to give an evaluation of the
"strength"
of every "extrasense."
Then six people,
of whom three were
"extrasenses" and
three,
ordinary experimenters
(not extrasenses) unknown to the subjects
, who
imitated
the behavior and reaction of "extrasenses," successively worked with
every subject.
A
total of
15 "extrasenses," whose
"powers" were recognized by a wide
circle
of individuals, were used in experiments.
Subjects were divided into two groups
(2b and
32 people).
In the first group
at the beginning "extrasenses" and then experimenters exerted an "effect."
In
the second group the sequence of the effect was
the opposite.
The absence of
verbal
communication between individuals exerting the effect and subjects
in
the process of the experiment was a mandatory condition.
The experiment consisted of
10 min of individual effect of every participant
an "extrasense" or an experimenter—on
a subject.
The entire experiment was
conducted
in the standing position.
"Irradiation" was carried out by
palms
and fingers at a distance of 20 to
50 cm from the examinee's body with the use
of gestures and passes over local sections of the subject's
body,
head,
and
limbs
.
Every
"extrasense"
filled
In
a
self-report,
in
which
he
recorded
his
sensations
and ideas during the "effect," and also described his methods
and
pointed
out
their objective and presumed effect on a subject.
Control
was
carried out by two experimenter-observers,
who separately recorded the course
of
the
experiment,
actions of "extrasenses"
and
imitators,
and
external
reactions of subjects.
Every subject also filled in a self-report,
where he
recorded all his sensations during a session and their strength.
An
analysis
of self-reports of the subjects showed the
appearance
in
them
during
the "effect" of "extrasenses" and imitators of specific sensations
in
many
respects similar to those arising during a simulation of the irradiation
appr-
but
much more extensive in localization and
manifestation—heat,
cold,
tingling,
vibration,
"electric current," pressure,
"flow
movement,"
light
flash,
and
so
forth—as
well as
(in
32 cases)
the
development
of
lightness,
heaviness,
somnolence
or
(21
cases)
excitation,
disturbance
in
statics,
and "freezing" of hands.
The appearance of hand numbness was noted
in
three
subjects and an increase in the sensitivity
of
wrists,
in
nine.
Spontaneous
sensomotor
reactions—an Involuntary lifting
("surfacing")
and
movements
of
hands
and
turns and inclinations of the trunk
and
the
head
accompanied
in
most
cases by sensations of
"strength
of
an
undetermined
nature" "moving" the body,
a limb,
or the head—occurred in
16 subjects.
In
two
cases
movements
were not noted
by
the
subjects
themselves.
Complex
sensory illusions were noted in 26 subjects.
Reports
by
subjects of both groups showed a complete identity of
sensations
and reactions under the effect of "extrasenses" and imitators.
Moreover,
in
their self-reports
23 people determined one of the imitators
as the "strongest
165
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
RflP
ORPTP.T AT.
TIRE
OMT.V
Approved For Release 200(S’/OB/?^
,iCGfiA-R©Ft96J00792R000600560001-0
extrasense"
and 22 people pointed
to three "recognized" "extrasenses" as
the
"weakest .
An analysis of the self-reports of "extrasenses" also showed the existence
of
pronounced
sensory sensations and phenomena of exteriorization of tactile and
visceral
illusions
of
the
type "emanation of
energy
flows,"
"sense
of
nonuniformity
of
the field,"
"sense of contiguity and effect
of
one's
own
biofield and of the subject’s biofield," and so forth.
Pronounced
visual
illusions in the form of "luminescence of energy"
and
a
"color
aura"
in the subjeot and
visions of "energy flows" and
the
"astral
body"
of
the subject,
as well as their "changes" under the "effect"
of
an
"extrasense,"
were noted in
(out of
15)
"extrasenses" during their
effect.
Actions
and
methods
(passes,
movements,
and
so forth) were
performed
by
"extrasenses"
in full accordance with the dynamics of change in their
sensory
illusions.
In all self-reports "extrasense3" noted their absolute confidence
in
the
reliability of the indicated phenomena experienced by
them
and,
in
their opinion, adequately evaluated the actions
-n.
he examined subject.
The
interpretation
by
"extrasenses" of their own actions and images
in
participants
in
the
experiment
was of the
nature
of
traditional
occult
symbolism:
in
two
"extrasenses"
the
nature
of
interpretation
was
in
accordance with the traditional Yoga system and in one,
mesmerism.
In other
cases
the
interpretation was of a "mixed" nature of the
indicated
systems,
distorted
ideas
of
a
system,
"meridians"
of
zen-zhu
therapy,
and
hallucinations of an "extrasense."
Similar results were obtained in another experiment conducted with 32 subjects
according
to
a complicated scheme.
Eight "extrasenses" were instructed
to
evoke
in subjects a number of speoific sensations and states according
to
a
given
program.
In
this
case,
subjects
were
not
supposed
to
see
the
"extrasense"
(the effect was produced from behind).
A comparison of the self-
answers of subjects and of "extrasenses" with the indicated program revealed a
complete
spontaneity
of
sensations
arising
under
the
"effect."
It
is
significant that the difference in individual modes of effect of "extrasenses"
and
imitators
did not have an effect on the nature of occurring
sensations,
correcting
exclusively
their
localization
and
manifestation
("strength")
according to mechanisms of probability forecasting and evaluation.
For
the
purpose of determining the role of reproducibility of
the
nervous
system
in
the
"perception of the biofield," the
following
experiment
was
conducted
with
subjeots participating in the
previous
experiment
and
determining
one
of the imitators as the "strongest
extrasense."
Subjects
were notified of the time
(2200)
and day when the "effect would be
exerted"
on
them
by
the "extrasense" chosen by them as the "strongest."
They
were
advised
that
the
effect would last
rain and instructed
to
record
their
sensations
and state in detail.
At the same time,
it was
stipulated
that
subjects
would be in domestic surroundings and "extrasenses," allegedly in a
laboratory.
In reality, no effect was produced and the indicated imitator was
not notified of the experiment.
166
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
In
this
experiment
the
self-reports of
the
subjects
showed
a
complete
qualitative
coincidence of sensations occurring in them at the appointed time
with
the sensations of the "effect" experienced
by them
earlier.
Moreover,
intensification
of
occurring illusions,
a significant
development
of
the
hypnoid
state,
and a change in the perception of one's body— "absence of the
body,"
"weight loss," and a "cloud and lightness in the
head"—which
passed
after the appointed time of the session,
were noted
in six subjects.
In our
opinion,
this points
to the dominating role of autosuggestion in the formation
of
the
"perception of the biofield."
At the same time,
it
is obvious
that
illusions
arising in such a way are the product of a reproducible
activation
of sensory systems under conditions of absence of a real effect.
Thus, an analysis of the obtained investigation data shows that the occurrence
of
sensory
illusions of the "biofield effect"
is based on an
activation
of
"sensory
noise"
under conditions of expectation of an
undetermined
effect.
The
development of "biofield sensations" and their dynamics and intensity are
formed by unconscious autosuggestion.
In turn,
as shown above,
the autosuggestive formation of "imaginary perception"
is intensified and corrected
by the actions, mimicry, words, and visible state
(tension,
quickened breathing,
and so forth) of an "extrasense,"
which,
in
their
essence,
are
purposeful
(although
usually
unrealized)
suggestive
methods.
Under
conditions
of
expectation
of
an
"unusual"
effect
and,
especially, when the subject exposed to it has a high personal motivation
(for
example,
hope
for
recovery),
in
fact,
any
stimuli
emanating
from
an
"extrasense" and connected with the subject's personal motive become agents of
suggestion.
Exerting
a
powerful
and complex suggestive effect on the
subject's
psyche
through the mechanism of probability forecasting,
in a number of cases
it
is
possible
to
attain a psychosomatic reaction adequate to the
task
set
(for
example,
analgesia, hyperesthesia,
etc.)
by "extrasensory" methods.
As shown by
comparison of the results of the
"effect" of "extrasenses" and of
experimenter-imitators,
the
role
of any physical factor
is absent in
the
process of "biopolar effect."
At
the
same
time,
as
the
results
of
analysis
of
self-reports
by
"extrasenses" have shown, their possession,
in
their opinion, of "superpowers"
is the result of an inadequate interpretation
by
"extrasenses" of a number
of
unordinary and often pathological sensations.
Similar sensations of the type
of
senestopathies
and
kinesthesia
are
potentiated
by
unconscious
autosuggestion to the level of sensory illusions and pseudohallucinations
(and
in a number of cases true visual,
auditory,
and other hallucinations as well).
Thus,
the
investigation conducted makes
it possible to draw a conclusion
on
the psychological nature of so-called "extrasensory" perception of "biofields"
167
Approved For Release 2000/08/09
: CIA-RDP96-00792R000600560001-0
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Approved For Release 20W0flh¥\§^6$&-00792R000G005G000'\-0
and
of the "biofield effect," which
is based on an inadequate
perception
of
subjective sensations potentiated
by suggestive effects.
COPYRIGHT:
Izdatelstvo "Nauka",
"Psikhologicheskiy zhurnal",
1985
11439
CSO:
1840/1102
168
Approved For Release 2O0WO^09Ci^A^[5P&l&-OO792ROOO6OO56OOO1-O