Shannon EnkppyAreerHor RSiscEOREIARY: cia-RDP96-oo7eaRdOs20ezAt001.0 me relations as are absolute measures (Lantz, Luke, and May, 1994); but, perhaps, if the AC effect size is significantly increased with a proper target pool, the rank-order correlations will be strong enough. It may be time consuming; however, it is also important to understand the dependency of the correlation on the digitizing resolution. In the first experiment, we digitized the hard copy photographs using a flatbed scanner with an internal resolution of 100 dots/inch and used 640 x 480 pixels for the static and dynamic targets in the second experiment. Why did the correlation drop for the static targets by nearly 35 percent when the digitizing resolution decreased by 20 percent? We noticed, post hoc, that the correlations exhibit large oscillations around zero below the cutoff score of four. If we assume there is a linear relationship between AC scores and the total change of Shannon entropy, we would expect unpredictable behavior for the correlation at low scores because they imply chance matches with the target and do not correlate with the entropy. Since we are suggesting a reductionist perspective, we speculate that the linear correlation suggests be- havioral, albeit circumstantial, evidence for receptor-like functioning for the detection of AC. To deter- mine if this is true, we must identify threshold and saturation limits. It is absolutely critical to confirm our overall results and to provide answers to some of the enigmas from our experiment. If we have identified an intrinsic target property, then all of our research can precede more efficiently. Consider the possibilities if we were able to construct a target pool and eliminate a known source of variance. Psychological and physiological factors would be much easier to detect. Giv- en the availability of inexpensive video digitizing boards for personal computers, replication attempts are easily within the grasp of research groups with modest operating budgets. Approved For Release 2002/05/17 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200240001-0 13
iacenemsennamenn seen ASA cnn Enfropyoae arr tatinisicn Se! 2002/0577. CIA-RDP96-00789R003206345008-0 1998 References Bem, D. J. and Honorton, C. (1994). Does psi exist? Replicable evidence for an anomalous process of information transfer. Psychological Bulletin. 115, No. 1, 4-18. Delanoy, D. L. (1988), Characteristics of successful free-response targets: Experimental findings and observations. Proceedings of Presented Papers, The Parapsychological Association 31st Annual 4 Convention, Montreal, Canada, 230-246. Watt, C. (1988). Characteristics of successful free-response targets: Theoretical considerations. Proceedings of Presented Papers, The Parapsychological Association 31st Annual Convention, Montreal, Canada, 247-263. Lantz, N. D. and Luke, W. L. W., and May, E. C. (1994). Target and sender dependencies in anomalous cognition experiments. Submitted for publication in the Journal of Parapsychology. May, E. C., Luke, W. L. W., Trask, V. V., and Frivold, T. J. (1990). Observation of neuromagnetic fields in response to remote stimuli. Proceedings of Presented Papers, The Parapsychological Association 33rd Annual Convention, National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, MD, 168-185. May, E. C., Spottiswoode, S. J. Pp, and James, C. L. (1994). Managing the target pool bandwidth: Noise reduction in anomalous cognition experiments.Submitted for publication in the Journal of Parapsychology. May, E. C., Utts, J. M., Humphrey, B. S., Luke, W. L. W,, Frivold, T. J., and Trask, V. V. (1990). Advances in remote-viewing analysis. Journal of Parapsychology, 54, 193-228. Reichert, H. (1992). Introduction to Neurobiology, Oxford University Press, New York, NY. Shannon, C. E. and Weaver, W. (1949). The Mathematical Theory of Communication. University of Illinois Press, Urbana, IL. Szilard, L. (1925) On the extension of phenomenological thermodynamics to fluctuation phenomena. Zeitschrift fiir Physik, 32, 753-788. English translation in The Collected Works of Leo Szilard: Scientific Papers. B. T. Feld and G. W. Szilard, Ed. MIT Press Cambridge, 1972, 34-102. Szilard, L. (1929). On the decrease of entropy in a thermodynamic system by the intervention of intelligent beings. Zeitschrift fiir Physik, 53, 840-856, English translation in The Collected Works of Leo Szilard: Scientific Papers. B. T. Feld and G. W. Szilard, Ed. MIT Press Cambridge, 1972, 103-129. Approved For Release 2002/05/17 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200240001-0 14
2. tu Approved For Release 2002/05/17 : CIA- RDP96- 0 Phenomenological Research and Analysis: Final Report 0789R003200240001-0 APPENDIX E ao sss Security Measures In an Automated Ganzfeld System and SAIC FINAL REPORT: Ganzfeld Experiment Approved For Release 2002/05/17 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200240001-0 34
Approved For Release 2002/05/17 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200240001-0 Security Measures in an Automated Ganzfeld System by Kathy §. Dalton Robert L. Morris Department uf Psychulogy University of Kdinburgh* & Dean Radin Center for Advanced Cognitive Science University of Nevada & : Richard Wiscman Psychulogy Division, Hatfield Campus University of Hertfordshire CPYRGHT Abstract The past success rate of the automated ganzfeld system has brought with it both praise and criticisms from experimenters and critics alike. A now, improved approach Ww security weasuces wilhin die yanzfeld setdng is described, along with the implications that the need for such precautions entails. ‘I'he specific example of the current automatcd ganzfeld system and its security precautions in usc at the Kocstlcr Chair of Parapsychoingy in Rdinburgh University js covered in some detail, with recommendations for future improvements. “The Koestler Chair of Parapsychology would like to gratefully acknowledge the American Society for Psychical Research, the Parapsychology Foundation, and the Socicty for Psychical Research for financial support of persouuel and equipment germane to this project, Approved For Release 2002/05/17 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200240001-0
Approved For Release 2002/05/17 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200240001-0 CPYRGHT introduction As parapsychological testing procedures produce successful rasnire, they attract increasingly saphisticated levels of criticism, including crilicism of the securily aspects of the system. Safeguards against fraud or deviation from protocol are often challenged, with regard to researchers as well as participants. For participants, this is especially true for protocols that involve very few individuals, already regarded as talcnted. including special senuer-receiver pairs, or those that foens on dramatic effects, such as macro-PK. Many parapsychologists deliberately chose to avoid gifted individuals and tclopathy procedures, because they wished to escape the inevitable suggestions of fraud that would Tikely follow positive results. As Mortis (1987), has argued, protocols that emphasize few participants und dramatic effects arc regarded as ideal by those who wish to avaid the nvise aud yncertainty produced hy weak resnits and the need for statistical inference. Researchers who rely on such protocols are more likely to draw strong inferences from them, and may find that their results ate atuactive lu die media Itis unforninate, therefore, that such dramatic effects are also regarded as ideal for the psuedopsychic, the participant intending to cheat if given the opportunity. Most effects developed over the years within the magic commmnity tend 10 be dramatic, because they are easily nouced and are therefore morc impressive, as well as entertaining. In penoral, the more. participants involved in a study the less lukcly deception is, as one would need to posit increasingly complex collusion among different individuals. Process-oriented research also midyates against deception, ax the intemal pattems of results would need to be produced fraudulently as well, This is true especially for individual differences effects, where thosc with some traits do better than others despite condidons being equal (¢.g. Palmer, 1977). Fven here it could be argued that if some participants produce lake results and others don't, than any characteristics held in common by the fakes will be found to be correlated with psi success. And if many participants are intending to produce fraudulent results but ditfer in personal characteristics, it could be argued that certain charactcristics might still emerge as corrclated with success because Uiuse who possess them (nich as extroversion), will be better able to nepotiate weakened procedures. Once again, with larger population samples, such possibilitics become increasingly unlikely unlcss the participants we all drawn froin the same dghtly knit gromp. This poses a problem, becalise many inveshpators may not have the necessary resources to conduct larger studies and/or may not be able to locate enough participants capable of the level of performance (hal would he desired for effective process-oriented research. Thus, it is important to employ procedures designed to minimize the likelihood of participant fraud. A second arca of security concems precautions against experimenter fraud or deviation from intended procedure. This is a scrious consideration primarily for protocols that employ a single experimenter and where frand wold likely to pass ummoticed by others connected with the study, both colleagues and participants. Experimenter fraud is of Icss concvm with co-experimenter procedures, where different sessions we cuuducied by different experimenters, and where independent replications exist. When considering experimenter fraud it should be noted that motivation can go in both dircetions. Onc may wish to get good results or keep a program alive, ublain more funding and prestige, elc., especially if one is persuaded Approved For Release 2002/05/17 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200240001-0