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Research
of
Anomalous Mental Phenomena
Author:
Edwin C. May, Ph.D.
1 November 1991
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Science Applications International Corporation
An Employee-Owned Company
Presented to:
U. S. Government
Contract MDA908-91-C-0037
(Client Private)
Submitted by:
Science Applications International Corporation
Cognitive Sciences Laboratory
1010 El Camino Real, Suite 330, P.O. Box 1412, Menlo Park, CA 94025
•
(415) 325-8292
battle, Tucson
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I OBJECTIVE
The objective of this document is to provide a periodic status report for research and analysis of anoma-
lous mental phenomena.*
This report constitutes the deliverable DI—MGHT—80227 under contract number MDA908—91—C—0037.
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II PROGRESS REPORT
1. Technical Milestones
In this section, we provide highlights of the technical progress during the period between 4 February
and 30 September 1991. Please see the Interim l&chnical Report for the same time period for complete
details.
1.1 Clin 1: Research
The primary task under this clin was to provide a comprehensive, long-term research plan. That plan
was delivered to the sponsor as of June 1991. The remaining activities included:
• Acquiring computer hardware and software.
• Obtaining subcontracts with Psychophysical Research Laboratories, The Lucidity Institute
and
Edinburgh University.
• Designing a protocol for the magnetoencephalograph (MEG) experiment.
• Outlining protocols for experiments that explore (1) target dependency, (2) anomalous cognition
(AC) in lucid dreams, and error-correcting coding techniques for AC.
In addition, we created three separate oversight committees: (1) Policy, (2) Scientific, and (3) Institu-
tional Review (i.e., human use), and as of 30 September 1991, the Scientific Oversight Committee is
fully functional.
1.2 Clin 3: Support Activity
Under this clin, we attended the 1991 annual meeting of the Parapsychological Association in Heidel-
berg, Germany and the Parapsychology Foundation annual meeting in Dublin, Ireland. Other activities
included:
• Assessing certain physiology results quoted in the foreign literature by designing a MEG protocol for
collecting data.
• Numerous visits by SAIC personnel to the sponsor’s facility to provide technical consultation and
advice on protocol design.
• Recommending hardware and software for a sponsor’s database (i.e. Sybase®).
• Designing a preliminary database schema for Sybase that can track specific research disciplines.
1.3 Clin 4: Hardware and Software
As of this reporting period, one of the three Sun Microsystem’s workstations, the QMS laser printer,
and various peripherals have been delivered and are in operation. All the analysis, documentation, and
database software are operational.
The target analysis hardware and software has not yet been delivered.
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1.4 Clin 5: Support Activity (Option 1)
The primary activity under this clin was to conduct preliminary trials for assessing the physiology results
(i.e., see clin 3 discussion above) using the MEG.
Sixteen individuals were tested for their individual
responses to direct light stimuli. Qualitative inspection of the data show directions for further research,
in that certain individuals appear to demonstrate robust central nervous system responses to direct light
stimuli. The question is, “Are these individuals good AC receivers?”
2. Changes
No changes to the Cognitive Sciences Laboratory, method of operation, management, or milestones
occurred during this reporting period.
3. Problems
We delayed the subcontracts and start of work on SOW 6.2 and 6.3 as the result of a delay in the con-
tracting cycle with the sponsor’s organization. While causing some accelerated activity, the delay has
not significantly impacted the progress to date.
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4. Financial summary
4.1 Total Project Statistics ($1,442,057 k)
Figure 1 shows that the overall project expenditures are near the ideal linear curve. The actual spending
curve falls below the linear model. This can be accounted for by the fact that the subcontract vouchers
and the expected equipment purchases are not yet included in these figures.
Figure 1.
Financial Performance for Ibtal Project
Thble 1.
Ibtal Project Financial History
Date
Expenditure ($k)
1 March 1991
$6,812
29 March 1991
$41,632
26 April 1991
$91,944
24 May 1991
$211,899
21 June 1991
$258,388
19 July 1991
$328,615
16 August 1991
$399,904
13 September 1991
$484,452
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4.2 CLIN 1 — Research ($1,062,760 k)
We focused much of the work up to 30 September upon the tasks for clins 3 and 5; thus, the expenditures
fall below the linear model.
Thble 1.
Total Project Financial History
Date
Expenditure ($k)
1 March 1991
$6,812
29 March 1991
$34,528
26 April 1991
$60,232
24 May 1991
$92,813
21 June 1991
$115,303
19 July 1991
$151,531
16 August 1991
$177,491
13 September 1991
$484,452
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4.3 CLIN 3 — Support Activity ($195,298 k)
Figure 3 shows that the financial histories for the tasks within clin 3 are as expected. The final account-
ing for clin 3 will be available after all outstanding charges have been processed.
Figure 3.
Financial Performance for SOW 6.4
Ihble 1.
Ibtal Project Financial History
Date
Expenditure ($k)
1 March 1991
—
29 March 1991
$7,103
26 April 1991
$31,712
24 May 1991
$52,137
21 June 1991
$75,586
19 July 1991
$106,145
16 August 1991
$150,383
13 September 1991
$187,522
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4.4 CLIN 4 — Hardware and Software ($134,584 k)
Clin 4 is an equipment line item, and Figure 4 shows its financial histories. We expect to process all
equipment during the next reporting period and then anticipate little fiirther activity for this clin.
Figure 4.
Financial Performance for Equipment, Hardware, and Software
Thble 1.
Tbtal Project Financial History
Date
Expenditure ($k)
1 March 1991
—
29 March 1991
—
26 April 1991
—
24 May 1991
$66,949
21 June 1991
$67,499
19 July 1991
$70,938
16 August 1991
$72,028
13 September 1991
$80,617
4.5 CLIN 5 — Support Activity, Option 1 ($49,415)
Option 1 was not initiated until 28 June 1991. As of 13 September 1991, a total of $6,546 K has been
expended on this clin. This figure does not reflect the activity pursued during the latter part of Septem-
ber at a national laboratory. The projected figures to close the activity on this clin are as expected, and
the final figures will be available as soon as all the outstanding charges have been processed.
Approved For Release 2003/09/09
: CIA-RDP96-00789R003000280001-8