Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000700620001-2 "Anglo-Saxon" vs. "Latin" Parapsychology: Underlying the Communication Barrier Mario P. Varvoglis Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Interactions Psi Rased on interviews of French-speaking researchers, an attempt is made to determine some of the issues which may rontribute to communication and collaboration problems in parapsychology. It is argued that these problems reflect broader issues than just language barriers. American parapsychologists are the most "successful” of parapsycho- logists, in terms of organization, recognition, funding, and Social standing. Insofar as they are in a leadership position, they are largely responsible for defining the field’s subject matter and methods, as well as qualitative standards for experimentation, journal reports, and PA membership. The situation has contributed to the creation of hierarchical, rather than peer-like, relationships within the field, in which "Anglo-Saxon" parapsychology dominates. This tends to alienate foreign researchers who disagree with some of the priorities or approaches of their American colleaques, ard who do not wish to feel inferior to them. It is suggested that, if we truly wish to improve international communication and collaboration, we must come to recognize the socio-economic, cultural and philosophical relativity of oo* own approach, and thus be more open to divergences in style and philosophy within the field. 316 Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000700620001-2
00620001-2 Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R0007 "Anglo-Saxon" VS. "Latin Parapsychology: Underlying the Communication Barrier Mario Pp, Varvoglis Laboratoire de Recherche Sur las Interactions Psi Problem? What Problem? In his Jp Paper "The lanquage barrier in Parapsycholagy", Alvarado deplores the low level of communication and Collaboration in international ~Parapsycholagy, Citing Americans’ limited awareness of research or Publications in foreign Countries, and foreigners? lack of Participation in the PA and in Anglo-Saxon Asi journals. He proposes Several measures to Counteract these trends, including the use of travel grants ty encourage broader Participation in U.s, conventions, and increased efforts to locate and translate foreign Publications. But while focusing largely upon these “formal” measures, Alvarado also Cautions that . MOre basic Cultural and Philosophical issues may Obstruct quick and fasy solutions, In this contex » the Opening quotes of his article are quite instructive, as they exemplify the divergence in American VS. European Perspectives gn the status af international Collaboration in the field, J.B. Rhine states that there is “a Spirit and Vitality in the research that is general and internationa} and in poe Sense localized# while Tenhaet + darkly Observas that "some (English and Americans) seem very Chauvinistic and seem to believe that Only the résSearches done in their country are important", Thus, in Contrast to Rhine’s Cheery assessment, Tenhaet¢, VOicing§ the Point of view of the Continent, refers explicitly to "chauvinism" on the part of Anglo-Saxon Parapsychologists; he seems to be implying that unfamiliarity with foreign Works is based on Cultural biases and is, hence, Suggestive o¢ darker dynamics than mere ignorance. My own interactions with a number of Europeans active in Contemporary Parapsycholagy suggest that the mood in Continental Europe has not changed much in the decades Since Tenhaef t's Statement, Thus, I think that the “language barrier* ig 4st a facet Of the cComnunicatior, Problem ir Parapsychology; indeed, it May be the least Significant One. My feeling is that if we seek to address the Problem through formal measures alone, without dealing with deeper issues, we might end up reinforcing, rather than resolving, 317 . 00620001-2 Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R0007
ES EOSIE SRE 'NOTGe © BP RSE en n ° Se TT ae RT < . Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000700620001-2 So in this presentation I would like to analyze some of the conflicts which may underlie the communication barrier. Toward this end, I compare the situations and mentalities of two groups - American vs. French-speaking - in hope that this will also clarify issues dividing broader groups in our field ("Anglo-Saxon" vs. "Latin", or "Northern" Vs. "Southern")}. To must apologize, in advance, for the stereotyping and “flattening” of individual differences associated with this kind of work. In order to render my communication manageable and relatively clear, I present global trends which inevitably caricaturize reality; I hope to be excused for the multiplicity of exceptions to the trends described. In order to gain some perspective on the French views, I exchanged with a number of researchers who are specifically familiar with American parapsychology. These exchanges were informal, two-way discussions, in which I first presented the theme of this symposium, and then asked individuals to present their opinions on two guestions: what specific issues, if BIVy 5 might exist between American (or Anglo-Saxon) and French (or Latin) parapsychologists, and what factors or dynamics may underlie these issues. In all, I was able to exchange with 9 researchers: Pierre Janin, Remy Chauvin, Jean Dierkens, Michel Ange Amorim, Christine Hardy, Jean-Remi Deleage, Francois Favre, Yvonne Duplessis, and Yves Liqnon. Given space limitations, I must offer my own synthesis of what they have said, focusing upon a few global areas which, I believe, contribute most to the communication barrier. Socio-economic constraints upon research After a year or two in France, one cannot help but feel that French parapsychology is decades behind its counterpart in the U.S.3 indeed, it is not clear if it makes sense to refer to a "field" of parapsychology in this country, Recognition of scientific parapsychology is very limited, and external support practically non-existent. Research efforts, involving a few isolated investigators dispersed over the country, are largely self-funded, personal affairs. Little distinction is made between a parapsychologist and psychics, clairvoyants or healers: the term "parapsychologue” can be used liberally by any "practician" who wants to attract clients, and the media further confuse issues by presenting a parapsychologist on the same level with an astrologer, medium, or dowser. Predictably, scientists in various fields tend to dismiss as unimaginable the possibility of serious parapsychological research. The situation is 60 bad, that the French scientific journal of parapsychology is called "Journal de Recherche en Psychotronique” - "psychtronics” being seen as less provocative a term than "parapsycholagy". 318 Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000700620001-2
(> ee a a Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000700620001-2 In short, French Parapsychology iis confronted with a familiar vicious Circle. The field is tainted with negative connotations, due to its Jack of internal Organization = or. cohesiveness and its limited means. These negative connotations, in turn, discourage scientists from an open identification with Parapsychology, isolate those already active in the field, weaken efforts to organize the field as a distinct discipline, and further remove any chance’ for funding or respectability, Why is the Situation so "backwards" in France, one of the most developed = and Progressive countries § ip, Europe? & Partial answer, I believe, Can be found by Considering the sOc io-economic structure of the French scientific scene. The socialists have been in Power for less than a decade, but centralisation has a very long tradition in France, and extends beyond social services, utilities, banks, public transport, etc., reaching into the core of the country’s intellectual and scientific activity. The national research organisation, the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), has a hold On ail branches of science, both within the University and in other centers, and essentially constitutes a means for controlling the nature and funding af the scientific enterprise, Centralised Political and $0C id-economic Structures have Proven ta be a handicap for innovative researchs they are tradition Oriented, discouraging bold advances, initiative and change. For example, the Universities and (ta a lesser degree) the CNRS Operate by a kind of "quota" system, and applying for a Position is generally possible only following the retirement oF someone from the Corresponding post. Ever then, approvals must be collected by a seemingly endless review committee, which of Course translates into a Preference for known Guantities, not for hewcomers, and certainly nat for "strange" topics like Parapsychology. [It must be recalled that the "rationalist" movement has a very long tradition in France, and is strongly opposed to anything resembling religious, esoteric or occult claims, This is Perhaps why efforts to explicitly establish some research within officially approved centers - @.g., the University  - have generally met with insurmountable resistance. Remy Chauvin was unable to get an Official Parapsychology chair established, despite the Support of one Of the most Powerful men in French industry and government. My own attempt to enter the university and the CNRS through the experimental psychology department was unsuccessful, Christine Hardy has some prospects for discreetly establishing some research, in cooperation with some University faculty members; but even if Successful, this research would have no immediate access to funds, and would have to remain hidden behind some ifmocuous-looking departmental "front". Yves Lignon, a math instructor, has Slcceeded in Openly Maintaining a small psi oe Seb 8b7.0f Or a Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : SIA-RDP96-00792R00070062000