Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 — experiments of this type, using a wide variety of physical systems, have been cited in the parapsychological literature. (U) One category of candidate target physical systems is biological systems; the precedent for using these in RA experiments has been well established. Of particular interest (because of its similarity to the experiment detailed in this document) is Carroll B. Nash's experiment involving the psychokinetic control of bacterial mutation.* The published abstract of the Nash experiment is provided here: Three experimenters each tested 20 subjects not known to be psychically gifted. Because of procedural errors, results were obtained for only 52 subjects. Each subject was tested in a single run with a separate set of nine tubes of a mixed culture of lac-negative and lac-positive strains of Escherichia coli. Mutation of lac-negative to lac-positive was mentally promoted in three of the tubes, mentally inhibited in three, and three of the tubes served as controls. The mutant ratio of lac—positive to total bacteria was greater in the promoted than in the inhibited tubes, with two-tailed p < 0.005; less in the inhibited tubes than in the controls, with two-tailed p < 0.02; and greater in the promoted tubes than in the controls, although not significantly so. The results are interpreted to suggest that the rate of bacterial mutation was psychokinetically affected. The experiment described in this report also undertook to investigate psychokinetic influence on bacterial mutagenicity, but it differs significantly from the Nash experiment in certain of its experimental protocols and underlying-theoretical assumptions. The overall objective was also different than that of the Nash experiment in that the SRI study is concerned with providing a “first order” examination of the existence of psycho- cP tener ee ee eee nt energetic intrusion detection with biological systems, \ rr *(U) Nash, C. B., “Psychokinetic Control of Bacterial Growth,” Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, Vol. 51, pp. 217-226 (1982). 6 Approved For Release 200mg or C1A-RDP{96-00789R003200160001 -9
I Approved For Release po : aeeneih emma i | (U) with medium containing histidine), and selective minimal glucose plates (i.e., plates with medium lacking histidine) to allow for the growth and appearance of bacterial colonies. 2. (U) Procedural Terms \ , The following are the most common procedural terms: ®  Subject--One of seven volunteers who undertook to psychoenergetically influence the mutagenicity of the bacterial samples. ® Monitor--The individual recording the events that transpired during an experimental session, and supervised the subject’s activities. ©  Technician--The microbiologist who was responsible for all aspects of the pre- and post-session preparation of the biological samples. e Session---A single sitting in which the subject attempted to (1) increase the mutation rate of bacteria placed in three test tubes, (2) decrease the mutation rate of those placed in three different test tubes, and (3) leave yet a different group of three uninfluenced as “controls.” Each of the seven subjects contributed six such sessions. e  Trial--An attempt by a subject to psychoenergetically influence (or not influence, as in the case of control test tubes) the bacterial culture in a single test tube. There were nine such trials in each experimental session. e®  Controls--Two types of controls were employed in this experiment: intrasession and extrasession. Intrasession control test tubes consisted of three bacterial test tubes, which the subject was instructed not to attempt to actively influence, from among the set of nine session test tubes. Extra- session controls consisted of two tubes per session that were prepared by the technician in exactly the same manner as the session test tubes, but were not used as part of the experimental session set of nine tubes. The extrasession controls remained at all times in the Microbial Genetics Laboratory, and provided the requisite data for establishing an independent measure of mutation rate. e Feedback--A drawing presented to the subject that indicated his/her performance on a given session. Feedback for a given session was typically administered prior to the start of the subject’s next session. B. (U) Biological Background \. | In this section, we will give a general overview of the Ames Salmonella assay that is used routinely by SRI’s Microbial Genetics Department, and that was adapted for use in this experiment to study psychoenergetic effects on mutation frequency. Approved For Release aa : cia RoPse.anresapeszantennoy$ pen wc ene
{ i \ Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : —_— eee | AS (U) The heritable material of living organisms is contained in the DNA (RNA in some viruses), a large molecule so constructed that it can replicate itself in a most exact fashion one cell generation after another. This is the basis of biological continuity and unity. It is also, however, the basis for biological diversity, which occurs through mutations. Each mutation alters the action of a specific gene, which is a genetic entity with its own specific end product, or protein. Genes are very stable structures, but each has its own spontaneous mutation frequency. The probability that a spontaneous mutant cell will be obtained every time a cell divides is constant, provided the environmental conditions are unchanged. Changes in the environment are known to influence the mutation frequency. Such changes include the presence or absence of certain trace elements (e.g., selenium), plus the presence of physical or chemical agents (mutagens) - — ‘ Bacteria provide a convenient way to study mutations because millions of cells can be grown in a very short period of time. Over the past few years, several bacterial assays have been developed to screen chemicals for their ability to induce mutation. Because there is a close correlation between mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, such mutagenicity assays are very often used together with the in vitro tests that employ single microbial and/or mammalian cells, as well as in vivo tests that employ multicell organisms from insects (fruit fly) to mammals (rodents). One of the best known bacterial mutagenesis assays is the Salmonella/ mammalian microsome histidine reverse mutation assay developed by Dr. Bruce Ames at the University of California in Berkeley. The Microbial Genetics Department at SRI International is using this assay system on a daily basis for Government agencies and commercial clients to determine the mutagenic potential of chemicals; they have performed such testing over a period of more than 10 years. . . (U) The Salmonella assay employs several tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium, each with a unique specificity for detecting chemical mutagens. The Salmonella strains, under optimum conditions, have a generation time of less than 30 minutes. The bacterial strains are unable to grow in the absence of the essential amino acid histidine because of a mutation in one of the genes that is needed for histidine synthesis. When these bacteria are plated on defined selective medium having little or no histidine, little or no growth occurs except those few bacteria: that spontaneously mutate back to histidine independence (ability to grow in the absence of histidine). In this case, a nonfunctional gene product is reverted back to a - functional one. This event allows the mutant cells to grow and divide. Because a mutation is stably inherited, all progeny of the mutated cells retain the ability to grow in the absence of Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : iain mamas 9 (
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 ' (U) histidine. Distinct individual colonies will appear on the solid selective growth medium, with each colony containing billions of progeny of the spontaneously mutated cells. Exposure of the bacteria to a chemical mutagen will result in an increased number of colonies appearing on the solid selective growth medium, due to an increase in mutation induction. (U) In the Ames Salmonella assay, a small amount of histidine is added to the growth medium to allow for a few cell divisions of all the plated histidine requiring mutants (~10*). Such growth is often necessary for chemical mutagenesis to occur. The results of the Salmonella assay are usually expressed in terms of the number of revertant colonies per amount of chemical added to the selective growth medium, which is usually delivered to the plate in 25-ml volumes. Because of the presence of limited histidine in the selective medium, the results of the Ames Salmonella are considered “semiquantitative,” since residual growth on all plates (control as well as chemical treated) does not allow for quantitative survival determination. A quantitative mutation frequency, however, can be determined. It is more labor intensive than the standard Ames assay, because survival determination requires diluting of the cell cultures, and a different growth medium is needed for determining (1) the mutant fraction and survivors for each of the controls, and (2) the different exposure concentrations of the test chemical. The mutation frequency is defined in terms of number of mutants per given number of surviving cells, usually per 108 cells. Because of its simplicity and the rapid response time of about two days, the Ames Salmonella assay can readily be adapted to study the effect of RA on the mutation frequency. Such an adaptation was established by SRI's Microbial Genetics Department for use in this experiment; a detailed discussion of the specific biological procedures that were followed can be found in Section D, Protocols. . . C. (U) Experimental Design 1. (U) Conceptual Replication a . The experiment undertaken in this study represents a conceptual replication of the Nash experiment described in our Introduction chapter. The replication presented here is| termed conceptual, because several of the experimental! details of the Nash experiment have been changed and improved. First, two potential mechanisms have been postulated that could account for the acquisition of a statistically significant effect--that is, an IDS hypothesis has been advanced, in addition to the more established RA hypothesis. Second, Salmonella 10 Approved For Release 2401/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 H i 1
Approved For Releas? 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 | syphimntum rather than Escherichia coli were used as the target bacterial cultures. Because this particular species of Saimonella is used most frequently by SRI’s Microbial Genetics | Department in toxicity studies, its behavior is particularly well understood in terms of assay conditions and experimental protocols. Finally, the Nash analysis was extended to include multiple analyses of variance. | culture were used per session. Mutation from histidine dependence to histidine independence ! As in the Nash experiment, nine test tubes filled with dilute bacterial was mentally promoted by the subject in three of the tubes, mentally inhibited in three, and | the remaining three tubes served as controls. For the purposes of obtaining baseline data, two additional control test tubes (for a total of eleven altogether per session) were prepared in the same manner as the session test tubes, but were kept in the Microbial Genetics Laboratory. 2. (U) Model! Testing Criteria | a. (U) The IDS Model | (U) As mentioned previously, there were two primary models under investigation in this experiment. A pivotal concept to the first, or IDS favorable model, is freedom of choice: namely, that by using some type of psi-mediated informational processes, | subjects have the opportunity to select out locally-deviant subsequences from a larger random sequence. For example, in half of the sessions, the subjects were allowed to select the three | test tubes in which they wished to promote mutation, and the three test tubes in which they wished to inhibit mutation. A statistically significant deviation from mean chance expectation (MCE) in this condition, therefore, could be interpreted theoretically in two ways: (1) the subjects somehow mentally “forced” genetic changes to occur in the bacteria in accordance with their desires to either promote or inhibit mutation rates (the RA hypothesis); or (2) given the natural spread of mutation rates in a biological system, the subject was able to psycho- energetically sort those test tubes containing bacteria with high mutation rates from those tubes containing bacteria with low mutation rates (a session—by~session IDS hypothesis). b. (U) The RA or IDSU Model (U) The second model under investigation has been termed the Remote Action (RA) or Intuitive Data Sorting Unfavorable (IDSU) model. In this condition, the conduits by which either the subject or experimenter are able to select test tubes are rendered 1] Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001 -9
Approved For Release 2qo0si07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 (WU) the seven had been participants in previous psychoenergetic experiments——i.e., all four had demonstrated some ability in remote viewing. One of these four subjects also scored significantly in an earlier SRI random number generator PK experiment, and another had demonstrated some ability previously in Computer—Assisted Search (CAS) tasks. All of the participants were SRI employees: one was a Statistician, two were secretaries, and the remainder were research professionals in either physics or computer science. b. (U) Experiment Site Locations J j For reasons stated in Section C.2.a, it was determined that the biological technician should be kept entirely blind as to all facets of the experiment, and that, in order to facilitate this situation, the psychoenergetic testing should occur in a location that was different from the one used for the biological preparations. The Microbial Genetics Laboratory, therefore, was used for all aspects of preparation of the biological cultures, and a room in another building at SRI was used for the psychoenergetic sessions. c. (U) Hardware Construction Once it had been determined that two separate facilities were necessary for conducting the experiment, a container had to be constructed that was suitable for transporting the biological samples from the Microbial Genetics Laboratory to the psychoenergetics facility. There were three primary factors that dictated the design of the container: (1) the biological samples had to be protected from extreme variations in temperature; (2) the samples had to be protected from sunlight; and (3) the container had to be lockable. - - | \ ) To control against extreme variations in temperature, which can greatly affect the mutagenicity of Salmonella, a Coleman® ice chest was chosen as the transport container. Triple-paned insulated glass windows were specially installed in the top and front side of the ice chest to allow an unobstructed view of the experiment test tubes. Because sunlight also affects the mutagenicity of the bacteria, a tarpaulin was used to completely cover the cooler during transport between the biological laboratory and the psychoenergetics facility. A lock was installed; the key was retained exclusively by the biological technician, to preclude the possibility of tampering with the biological samples once they had been removed from the Microbial Genetics Laboratory. Approved For Release 2001/03/07 :- CiIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 a:
Approved For Release ico : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 ( > 2. (U) Presession Protocols (U) A series of activities took place prior to the start of every experimental session. First, the experiment monitor identified the session type from the fixed session sequence, “aababb,” (cf. Section C.2.b), to determine whether the session would be an IDS favorable or an IDS unfavorable (RA or IDSU) condition. Second, the technician in the Microbial Genetics Laboratory prepared the bacterial cultures for the session (see Appendix). Eleven numerically-labelled, sterile, 16-—x-150-mm test tubes were aseptically filled with 2.5 ml of glucose minimal broth. Fifty nl of a 37°C overnight culture of strain TA100 of Salmonelia typhimurium was then added to each tube.” In a standardized manner, the first nine tubes were arranged in a test-tube rack, which was placed in the specially designed ice chest, and then locked. The remaining two control cultures were shielded from visible light by a covering of aluminum foil, and were maintained at room temperature in the Microbial Genetics Department laboratory. (U) The ice chest, with its enclosed cultures, was placed on a cart and covered with a tarpaulin to ensure that the mutation rate of the cultures was not affected by sunlight during transportation from the laboratory to the experimental facility. (U) Third, the experiment monitor transported the covered ice chest on the cart from the biological laboratory to another facility at SRI, where the psychoenergetic portion of the experiment was performed. Prior to the arrival of the subject, the monitor wheeled the ice chest into a room equipped with a table and two chairs. The ice chest was then uncovered and positioned in such a way that a seated subject could readily view the nine numbered test tubes through the glass. 3. (U) Session Protocols (U) For other than the first session for each subject, a session usually commenced with feedback to the subject of the previous session’s results (to be discussed in “Postsession *(U) It should be noted that there was no visible evidence of “cloudiness” caused by the bacterial culture in any of the prepared test tube solutions. The appearance of the liquid was uniformly that of clear tap water. Thus, there were no visual cues available to the subject, as to which test tubes might contain greater amounts of the bacterial culture. 15
Approved For Release 2901/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 (U) the| appropriate test-tube-selection numbers. The order of selection and an estimate of the duration of effort per each test tube were noted in the “Comments” section. Upon debriefing the| subject at the end of a session, the monitor also recorded any comments the subject wished to make regarding possible strategies employed in the performance of the task, and any personal statements the subjects wished to volunteer pertaining to their state-of-mind, health, and so forth. 4. -(U) Postsession Protocols { At the conclusion of the session, and after the departure of the subject from the psychoenergetics facility, the monitor once again covered the ice chest, then transported it on the cart back to the Microbial Genetics Laboratory. (U) The microbiologist removed the nine bacterial cultures from the ice chest and placed them, together with the additional two extrasession control cultures, in an incubator | (G24 Environmental Incubator Shaker, New Brunswick Scientific Company, Inc., Edison, New Jersey). The bacterial cultures were shielded from visible light by aluminum foil, and | grown with gentle shaking (100 rpm) for about 24 hours. | (U) Following the incubation period, testing of the eleven bacterial cultures to determine the extent of mutation induction was initiated. The testing was divided into two | parts: @ Quantitation of number of cells plated, which measures the number of plated cells that are able to form colonies (CFU) on medium containing histidine (yeast complete medium). e Quantitation of mutant cells, which measures the number of cells that are able to grow in the absence of histidine. (U) The quantitation of CFU was accomplished according to a standardized set of laboratory procedures. First, each of the eleven bacterial cultures (i.e., the cultures contained in the nine-session test tubes plus the two controls) was serially diluted -by combining 0.20 ml of the culture with 1.80 ml of sterile saline until an overall million—-fold dilution was obtained (10-6). Complete medium plates were then divided into three sections with a marking pen, and a 10~l aliquot of the 10-*, 10-5, and 10-8 dilutions were then delivered in triplicate to the appropriate sections on the plate. The 10-1 spots were allowed to dry on the surface of the solid medium in the plates. The plates were then incubated at 37°C for up to 24 hours 19 Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : ClA-RDPS6-00786R003200160001-
; | ; pproved For Release 201103107 : cia-RbP96-0078eR002200160001 9 (U) There was no compelling evidence, however, that subjects are able to interact causally with this particular biological system. (U) Tables 2 through 8 display the data contained in Table 1 ina subject-by-subject format. One subject (310) produced strong effects in the IDS condition: his low-aim condition was significantly lower than his high-aim condition (p < 0.003), and his low-aim condition was also significantly lower than the no-aim condition (p < 0.018). (U) In addition to the various t-tests, a multiway analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted as a second form of analysis (post hoc). Aim (low, no, and high) and condition (IDS and RA) were used as the two “main effects” for the analysis. When the ANOVA examines one “main effect,” it sums all the data in the other “main effects.” For example, to examine the IDS and RA condition, the ANOVA sums across all aims. Likewise, to examine an aim effect, the ANOVA sums across the IDS and RA conditions. No significance was anticipated in these two dimensions, and none was observed. Significance was observed, however, in the interaction term between the IDS and the RA condition (p <= 0.05), which may indicate that there is some difference between the IDS and RA conditions when examined as a function of aim. This does not imply that IDS or RA is “more significant.” It should be noted that the interpretation of the ANOVA interaction term has been traditionally difficult, and Rosenthal has suggested that ANOVA with more than one “main effect” should not be used in the social/psychological sciences.” The analysis has been included here merely for the sake of completeness. —"\ In summary, this experiment has produced a relatively weak, but statistically significant effect, which most readily supports the conclusion that subjects are able to acquire information, psychoenergetically, about the mutation rates of Salmonella, but are unable to cause physical perturbations in these bacteria. To reiterate the criteria set forth in the Introduction, a physical system will not be considered a candidate intrusion detector unless it registers energetic effects directly (as a result of intentional perturbation), or indirectly (as a result of concomitant acquisition of information). To first order, therefore, it must be concluded on the basis of this one experiment, that the Salmonella bacterium does not appear to be a promising intrusion detector. ee *(U) R. Rosenthal and R. Rosnow, Essentials of Behavioral Research, P- 254 (McGraw Hill Book Co., New York, 1984). 27 A pproved For Release 2001106107 : cia-rop9¢ bo7s9R003200160004 9
Approved For Release 2001/0407 : CIA-RDP9b-00789R003200160001-9 Table 2 (U) NORMALIZED MUTATION RATES x 10 ~® (Subject 164) Condition Remote Action (RA) Remote Action (RA) Remote Action (RA) Mean , t (Low < No) =-1.430 nis. Statistics t (No <High) = 0.484 ns. t (Low.< High) = -0.475 ms. Condition Intuitive Data Sorting (IDS) Intuitive Data Sorting (IDS) Intuitive Data Sorting (IDS) Mean t (Low < No) -0.310 nus. Statistics” t (No < High) -0.112 ns. t (Low < High) = -0.475 ns, * Degrees of freedom = 16. UNCLASSIFIED —, 1 i -| Given the weak statistical nature of the effect and the potential. importance of intrusion detection, replication is recommended for a variety of compelling reasons. First, there are a number of proposed methodological changes to this experiment (as discussed in Chapter V) that would in all likelihood enhance the robustness of the effect. From this perspective, the experiment might legitimately be considered a pilot study. Second, this is the first experiment of its kind that has used Salmonella as the target biological system; 28 Approved For Release 20011f3107 : CIA-RDP#6-00789R003200160001-9
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[__—-Approved For Release 2001/03/67--G/K-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 December 1986 Final Technical Report Covering the Period 1 July 1986 to 15 November 1986 ENHANCED HUMAN PERFORMANCE INVESTIGATION (U) ‘ | SRI. Project 1291 _) | internattiona - Ine ae aon ae, was, This document consists of 78 pages. SRIGF=0294 Copy oh | ot i. Ss oved For Retease 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 International 333 Ravenswood Avenue * Menlo Park, California 94025 “US. .
eee fume Approved For Release 2001103197 : CIA-RDP94-00789R003200160001-2 + I INTRODUCTION (U) A. (U) Overview { In accordance with the requirements set forth under the program, “Enhanced Human Performance Investigations” (_ sncy this document provides a progress update for work performed by SRI International and its subcontractors during Fiscal Year 1986. The aim of the five-year program (FY 1986-1990) is to provide research and development in the area of psychoenergetics as a means to enhance human performance ' B. (U) Definitions (U) Psychoenergetic phenomena are defined here as direct interactions between human consciousness and the environment, which, although the mechanism is unexplained, can be observed and recorded. These human capabilities fall into two main categories: (1) the acquisition of information, and (2) the production of physical effects. These can be further defined as e Remote Viewing (RV)/Extrasensory Perception (ESP)-~The ability to gain access, by mental means alone, to concealed data or remote sites. e Remote Action (RA)/Psychokinesis (PK)--The ability to influence, by mental means alone, physical or biological systems. C.  (U) Program Scope \ The program is designed to provide the necessary foundation to assess various aspects of psychoenergetics¢ . The program is highly diverse | . . . . « ~~ e . ~ . toes - and interdisciplinary; it spans many fields and involves academic and research facilities, subcontractors, and consultants. Furthermore, it initiates an in-depth investigation into the life sciences aspects of psychoenergetic phenomena. i Approved For Release 200110307 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9
Approved For Release 2001/03/97 : C1A-RDP96-)0789R003200160001-9 D. (U) Program Objectives (U) Basically, there are three program objectives: (1) to document that psychoenergetic phenomena are real and reproducible, (2) to determine the mechanism(s) underlying these phenomena, and (3) to bring the field of psychoenergetics into the mainstream of human performance research, by providing a scientific foundation equivalent to the rest of the performance research field. In the minds of some, there is no doubt that psychoenergetic phenomena are real and reproducible. In the minds of many others, both scientific professionals and informed lay persons, this is not the case. ‘ y The categories of research interest under consideration form a hierarchy ranging from basic research on fundamental mechanisms to methodologies for applications, including e Identifying explanatory mechanisms (e.g., electromagnetic effects, neurophysiological mechanisms). e «Specifying phenomenological properties (e.g., the effects of distance and shielding). e Determining physical, physiological, and psychological correlates (e.g., geophysical environment, EEG and GSR measures, and personality profiling) . @ Developing optimal strategies for use in applications (e.g., statistical averaging). E. (U) Program Resources (U) To meet the above objectives, the SRI program is using both in-house and external expertise. For over a decade, a core group of researchers at SRI has been studying a wide variety of subjects in psychoenergetics-—augmented by access to specialty centers such as our neurosciences and our microbial genetics laboratories. - (U) Some of the work is being subcontracted to institutions, groups, and consultants who have a demonstrated track record in this research area. Other subcontractors may have had no association with this field but, because of their specific area of expertise, can make valuable contributions to our program goals. Thus, the widest possible interdisciplinary viewpoints are available to the program, and the mixture of resources will ensure that peer group review and scientific interactions are maximized. Subcontractors and consultants currently include personne! from Princeton University, Syracuse University, John F. Kennedy University, the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, MARS Measurements Associates, the Parapsychology 2 Approved For Release 2001/03/07): CIA-RDP96-04789R003200" 60001-9
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : ClA-RDP96-00789003200160001-9 - III PROBLEM AREAS (U) —_— __ As a result of the SOC comments at the commencement of the FY 1986 program, | substantial criticism was directed toward the Time Research Institute (TRI) subcontract. An extensive review of TRI’s proposed Statement of Work, facilities, techniques, and qualifications was subsequently carried out by SRI, and three major problem areas were revealed: (1) tenuous overall scientific justification for pursuing this area of investigation; (2) inaccurate measurement techniques employed by TRI; and (3) questionable statistical approaches proposed by TRI for data analysis. As a result of this review, the decision was made to terminate TRI's subcontract. This termination was effective 19 May 1986. At the time of the termination, approximately $25,000 remained in this subcontract. TRI has provided an initial estimate of approximately $9,800 in termination expenses. According to ' however, TRI has until one year after the termination date to formalize its claims. In addition, a determination must be made as to the disposition of the equipment purchased by the subcontractor under the present contract and the one immediately preceding. Therefore, a final settlement on the TRI subcontract is still pending. 25 - Approved For Release 001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001 -9
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Approved For Release 2001/0310 : CIA-RDPS -00789R003200160001-9 I INTRODUCTION (U) A. (U) Overview ——eoey )In accordance with the requirements set forth under the program, "Enhanced Human Performance Investigations" this document provides a progress update for work performed by SRI International and its subcontractors during Fiscal Year 1987. The aim of the five-year program (FY 1986-1990) is to provide research and development in the area of psychoenergetics as a means to enhancing human performance ¢ B. (U) Definitions (U) Psychoenergetic phenomena are defined here as direct interactions between human consciousness and the environment, which, although the mechanism is unexplained, can be observed and recorded. These human capabilities fall into two main categories: (1) the acquisition of information, and (2) the production of physical effects. These can be further defined as: © Remote Viewing (RV)/Extrasensory Perception (ESP) - The ability to gain access, by mental means alone, to concealed data or remote sites. @ Remote Action (RA)/Psychokinesis (PK) - The ability to influence, by mental means alone, physical or biological systems. C. (U) Program Scope __ This program is designed to provide the necessary foundation to. assess various aspects of psychoenergeticst SN, ia The program is highly diverse and interdisciplinary: it spans many fields and involves academic and research facilities, subcontractors, and consultants. Furthermore, it initiates an in-depth investigation into the life sciences aspects of psychoenergetic phenomena. Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96 00789R003200160001-9
Approved For Release 2001/49/07 : cia-RBPd-00789R003200160001.9 D. (U) Program Objectives (U) There are three basic program objectives: (1) to document that psychoenergetic phenomena are real and reproducible; (2) to determine the mechanism(s) underlying these phenomena; and (3) to bring the field of psychoenergetics into the mainstream of human performance research, by providing a scientific foundation equivalent to that of the rest of the performance research field. In the minds of some, there is no doubt that psychoenergetic phenomena are real and reproducible. In the minds of many others, both scientific professionals and informed lay persons, this is not the case. ‘ The categories of research interest under consideration form a hierarchy ranging from basic research on fundamental mechanisms to methodologies for applications including: @ Identifying explanatory mechanisms (e.g., electromagnetic effects, neurophysiological mechanisms) . ® Specifying phenomenological properties (e.g., the effects of distance and shielding). @® Determining physical, physiological, and psychological correlates (e.g., geophysical environment, EEG and GSR measures, and personality profiling). @® Developing optimal strategies for use in applications (e.g., statistical averaging). E. (U) Program Resources (U) To meet the above objectives, the SRI program is using both in-house and external expertise. For over a decade, a core group of researchers at SRI has been studying a wide variety of subjects in psychoenergetics--augmented by access to specialty centers such as our neurosciences and our microbial genetics laboratories. (U) Some of the work is being subcontracted to institutions, groups, and consultants who have a demonstrated track record in this research area. Other subcontractors may have had no association with this field but, because of their specific area of expertise, can make valuable contributions to our program goals. Thus, the widest possible interdisciplinary viewpoints are available to the program, and the mixture of resources will ensure that peer group review and scientific interactions are maximized. Subcontractors and consultants currently include personnel from Princeton University, Syracuse University, John F. Kennedy University, the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, MARS Measurements Associates, Psychophysical Research Laboratories, the Parapsychology Sources of Information Center, Mind Science Foundation, and the 2 Approved For Release 001/03407: CIA-RDP95-00789R003200160001-9
eee i Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA- RDP96204789R003200160001 -9 & 4. (U) Objective A, Task 4--Gross Physiological Correlates to RV ’ ene of the persistent problems in deploying RV . En the lack of an a priori method for assessing the quality of a particular RV session. The present exploratory investigation was an attempt to discover whether external physiological cues could be used to discriminate accurate from inaccurate sessions. (U) In an exploratory attempt to learn more about this aspect of the RV process, 20 RV sessions, comprising the output of one subject from a separate experiment, were videotaped and analyzed by a behavioral psychologist to discover if accurate sessions could be blindly separated from inaccurate sessions by gross external physiological changes which occurred during the RV session. Behaviors defined and coded included latency to first response, head movements, hand gestures, and interactive and descriptive verbalizations. Frequency counts of each behavior were made and correlated with a measure of the quality of the RV. (U) Unfortunately for this analysis, the measure of RV quality showed no significant RV function. Thus, correlation between RV quality and the behaviors rated could not be expected to show a significant relationship. Results matched this expectation; there were no significant correlations between the measure of RV quality and the behaviors noted. There was a non-significant trend in the positive direction for latency to first response which is similar to the measurement of latency from stimulus to response time measured in another pilot experiment (see Task F-3). It should also be noted that two behaviors of particular interest, namely eye movement and facial expression, were not analyzed in this study because facial expression was considered too subjective without multiple observers while the quality of the video recordings did not permit accurate observation of eye movement. (U) In conclusion, this study does not rule out the possibility that external physiological cues may give important clues to the quality of RV. It would be necessary to conduct a similar study with a sample of known high-quality remote viewing. 5. (U) Objective B, Task l--Resource Library ji (U) The Parapsychology Sources of Information Center (PSIC, Rhea A. White, Director) has completed two years of a multi-year effort intended to provide and maintain an extensive data base facility for parapsychological literature, described in a separate report. The overall goal is to have the data base, called PsiLine, include bibliographic information and abstracts of the entire literature of parapsychology and related disciplines. During the first year of a multi-year effort, PSIC purchased the necessary hardware and software, and then 13 Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96.0}789R003200160001-¢
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 13. (U) Objective F, Task 1--Fundamental Parameters of RV ——r ,Two different precognition experiments were conducted during FY 1987. The first of these involved a well-calibrated viewer (Viewer 372) and used natural Bay Area sites as targets. Ten real-time and ten precognitive trials (counterbalanced) yielded no statistical evidence for remote viewing. In the second experiment, 4 viewers contributed approximately 30 trials each in a similar counterbalanced real-time versus precognition protocol. In this experiment, however, the target material was photographs from a national magazine. No statistical evidence for remote viewing was observed in this experiment. In a third experiment designed to explore the role of feedback upon remote viewing quality, two of four viewers produced independently highly significant evidence for remote viewing. There was no correlation between the quality of RV and the intensity of the feedback for either of the significant viewers. These data do not generally support the precognition model. To confirm this, we must examine the validity of the assumption that the actual feedback is related to the consciously perceived feedback. In other words, we question what constituted "enough" feedback to saturate the RV signal. 14. (U) Objective F, Task 2--Video Disk Training Technology (U) The FY 1987 effort was aimed at developing a technology for enhancing the acquisition of remote viewing skills. One important factor in the development of a new skill is the ability to practice the skill under conditions similar to a test situation. Until now, practice was a time-consuming effort that required the services of a monitor and an assistant in order to ensure a double-blind protocol. With the advent of video disk technology coupled with the random number capability of a personal computer, it has become possible to develop the capacity to do multiple RV sessions at a single sitting as well as work on specific target features with the ease and timeliness of a forced choice task. (U) Assembling the components of the system involved the purchase of a video camera, a video disk recorder, and a MacIntosh computer. The heart of the system is the video disk recorder, a specialized machine making possible the recording of both static and dynamic targets from a variety of video inputs. Access to any target is on the order of one-half second. Each 10-inch disk can store 24,000 still targets or up to 15 minutes of a motion target. 17 Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9
J . \ Approved For Release 2004/0407 : CIA-RDP9-00789R003200160001-9 (U) | | (3) Cost effectiveness, i.e., individual subject session times should be kept manageably brief to facilitate rapid turnover; this approach would also tend to sustain the subject’s interest in the task, thereby | maximizing the potential for success in the screening process. (U) A_ preliminary survey of the extant technology for attaining these | objectives indicates that the most feasible option would include a video camera, a video disk recorder, a video monitor, and a MacIntosh computer. The video camera would be used to | photograph a variety of target materials for frame-by-frame inclusion on the video disk. Random access to the target photographs would be computer-controlled and therefore very rapid--i.e., on the order of 0.5-second display time. The disk, monitor, and computer would comprise the equipment actually deployed to the screening site. Overall, this equipment is relatively inexpensive, portable, and durable. c. (U) Target Selection 4 A wide variety of target materials should be incorporated onto the disk to exercise the full potential range of the subject’s abilities. Candidate target materials would include photographs drawn. from the following categories: (1) natural scenes, (2) alphanumerics, (3) technical sites{ _— ‘, (4) Zener cards, and (5) the Maimonides target set. A selection of dynamic (i.e., moving video) targets has also been Suggested.* A small subset of approximately five targets would be selected from each category for inclusion on the disk: this would tend to minimize the potential for deviation from prescribed screening procedures; it would also enable greater Standardization for RV performance across the screened population. d.  (U) Subject Populations (U) Judicious selection of candidate subject populations is recommended over the less+efficient and more labor-intensive “shotgun” approach. One possible guideline, which has been derived primarily from the observations of RV monitors, is that a certain richness of the subject’s vocabulary may be important for a comprehensive debrief of the RV signal. This would * (U) This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of target categories: some may be deleted or others may beadded as the mass screening protocol is developed, deployed, and refined. The samecaveat applies to other research items mentioned in this discussion. 24 Approved For Release so04dai0T. CIA-RDPYE-00789R00320016000 -9
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : c1a-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 (U) tend to imply that subjects should be sought out from groups that have members with superior verbal abilities. (U): Other candidate populations might include groups whose members exhibit superior skills in drawing, draftsmanship, or other visual abilities. This approach is suggested ’ because pictorial representation is another rich modality for debriefing the RV signal. _— ‘ A third approach might center on drawing from populations whose members excel at pattern recognition or in the ability to discern a tenuous signal line in a noisy background. - N a I I Also subsumed under this category are groups whose members show an aptitude for institutional decision-making-—-i.e., what might be referred to in the vernacular as "playing hunches." Such groups might include, for example, police detectives, businessmen who make consistently correct decisions in risky or problematical ventures, or individuals with a special proclivity for locating oil. (U) These are but a representative few of the kinds of populations that might be targeted for screening initially. It is anticipated that other promising populations will emerge empirically as the screening system is deployed on a pilot basis. e. (U) Methodology and Deployment (U) Research issues pertaining to screening methodology and deployment fall into two principal categories: (1) manipulation of intra-session variables for arriving at the most meaningful and efficient screening procedure, and (2) standardization of inter-session guidelines for deploying that procedure in a variety of settings. The first area focuses primarily on the most profitable use of the hardware, while the second area emphasizes standardization across screening sessions. (U) Primary research issues concerning the design of the optimal screening package include (1) determination of feedback conditions (e.g., whether there should be a “no feedback” target in each screening session), (2) identification of the optimal number of targets per session and their randomization (e.g., whether targets should be presented on a gradient of complexity, or whether they should be randomly selected), and (3) determination of the analysis techniques to be employed (e.g., forced-choice guess by the subject versus detailed verbal and 25 Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : cia-ropasors9R003200160001 -9
| (_ — Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 (U) visual assessment by an independent analyst). Recent developments in the uses of fuzzy set theory and cluster analysis show promise for affording “on-line” analysis of RV on National Geographic Magazine targets. | | (U) In the second major area of investigation, several preliminary guidelines have emerged with respect to optimizing inter-session standardization. First, screening settings must be chosen with the aim of mitigating a subject’s performance anxiety: a one-on-one private: or semi-private session with a trained monitor is indicated. Second, a series of general instructions must be devised that serve to inform the naive subject as to what the RV task entails. These instructions must be specific enough to elicit RV performance without biasing the subject towards any particular RV technology. Third, monitors must be thoroughly conversant with a standard set of screening procedures, as feedback to the subject. Monitors may be required, for example, to memorize scripts that Scripts might also serve the in order to minimize idiosyncratic variability in such areas dictate the nature of subject/monitor interactions for each target. function of providing the framework for the systematic elicitation of RV data along a number of predetermined dimensions—~e.g., visual, conceptual, functional, depending on the nature of the target material. Fourth, a standardized questionnaire must be devised to address psychological parameters. It would include a section for standard biographical data and a section for questions drawn from the MBTI and the Psychophysical Research Laboratory's PIF. The purpose of the form would be to investigate, across a large population, whether psychological self-report correlates with RV ability. If such correlations were obtained, then the questionnaire might profitably be used as an initial pre-screening device. (U) All of the research issues presented in this discussion will be most profitably determined and refined from actually using the system. If possible, the optimal approach would entail successive pilot deployments of the screening device in a variety of settings. | 20. (U) Objective F, Task 8--Host Physiology Conference t ,On 28 July 1987, SRI International hosted a‘ , a physiology conference. Ph.D from Los Alamos National Laboratory; S. Kornguth, Ph.D. from the In attendance were D. Arthur, Ph.D., and E. Flynn, Neurology Department of the University of Wisconsin; R. Murray, M.D., Chairman, the Department of Medicine, Michigan State University; R. Dickhaut, Spectra Research Institute; M. Hecker, Ph.D., SRI International, 26 Approved For Release sootiesr : CIA-RDP96400789R003200160001-9
pre Approved For Release 2004109107 : ciacbP96-00789R003200160001.9 Fs T. Piantanida, Ph.D., SRI International, E. May, Ph.D., SRI International; i T= a) { —_} the goal of the conference was to determine the proper direction for investigating possible correlates to psychoenergetic functioning, and to recommend specific experiments to search for correlates. The primary emphasis was on neurophysiology. Attendee comments are available upon request. a, \ After an overview of the Enhanced Human Performance Investigation project by May, the discussions centered upon metabolic measurements (PET) and possible physiological indicators of psychoenergetic. functioning with visual evoked response. ( Fother topics that were discussed were other possible physiological areas of investigation, including technical voice analysis. It was generally decided, however, that except for PET, and certain button-pressing experiments, physiological correlates to the subtle forms of psychoenergetic functioning would be difficult to find. \ " As a direct result of the conference, the Los Alamos group will use visual evoked response techniques with the MEG to replicate earlier successful experiments demonstrating physiological responses to a remote stimulus. (U) A number of the participants responded to the conference in letter form. These letters are contained in Appendix B. 21. (U) Objective F, Task 9--Neuropsychological Assessment (U) During FY 1986 exploratory work was begun to attempt the discovery of neuropsychological correlates of psychoenergetic function. As part of that effort, Dr. Ralph Kiernan of the Stanford Medical School developed a battery of tests designed to test the function of the frontal lobes which he hypothesized to be involved in psychoenergetic function. Asa follow-on to his theoretical formulation and hypothesis generation, Dr. Kiernan tested 37 subjects who had participated in previous RV and Search/Dowsing studies. His test battery was composed mainly of scales from Guilford’s measure of intelligence, and scales were combined to give a score for productive ideation, a component directly related to positive frontal function. 27 Approved For Release 200143107 : CIA- 6-00789R003200160001-9
Approved For Release pooribato? : CIA-RD#96-00789R003200160001-9 (U) placed jt on a small empty table, and then rang a bell into the telephone, signaling to the viewer to perceive the target. The viewer than declared “yes,” “no,” or “?” and gave his response; he then received immediate feedback from the experimenter. For every trial, the experimenter made a written record of the possible targets, actual target, declared condition, and viewer response, as well as date and time of the trial. (U) The hypothesis being tested was whether Viewer 002 is able to recognize “contact” with the target. If this hypothesis is true, we would expect above-chance, below-chance, and chance results in the “yes,” “no,” and “2” conditions, respectively. The reason that we would expect below-chance results in the “no” condition is that psychoenergetic functioning is required by the viewer if he “knows” that he is not in contact with the target. In other words, the viewer is willing to declare that he is likely to be wrong. ‘The trials took place at approximately the same time every day between January 5 and February 20, 1987, with a varying number of trials per day. Of 147 trials in the "yes" condition, 88 were hits, where 74 would be expected by chance. Of 59 trials in the "no" condition, 23 were hits, where 30 would be expected by chance. Of the 121 trials in the "2" condition, 66 were hits, where 61 would be expected by chance. The p-values for these three conditions are 0.01, 0.05, and 0.23, respectively. From p-values alone, it appears that the hypothesis is Supported. The trend in the psychological sciences is to use some measure of “effect size" in conjunction with p-values. The reason is that P-values are sample-size dependent and, therefore, may mask important results. The "effect size" for the three conditions is 0.20, 0.21, and 0.09, respectively. This result indicates that the equivalent amount of psychoenergetic functioning was used by Viewer 002 to determine his degree of contact with the target. We are encouraged by this result because it represents a modest success toward the goal of recognizing the source of "noise" in forced-choice experiments. (U) During the second half of FY 1987, we conducted another series of trials of the forced-choice format, using the same protocol as described above but with slightly different conditions and testing a slightly different hypothesis. These trials took place from 23 February through 21 September 1987, a total of 82 sessions (one session per day at approximately the Same time every day), with a varying number of trials per session. Before each session the viewer declared how he felt, and he assessed how successfully he would contact the targets in the coming 29 Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9
Approved For Release 200/1/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 In FY 1987, an experiment was conducted which successfully replicated this finding. Of eight participants (six experienced and two novices), one scored significantly in the space condition, and none in the time condition. However, the two subjects who scored the best in the space condition had previously been successful in that condition, and the subject who scored best in the time condition had previously been successful in that condition. This suggests that participants are likely to consistently do well in one condition or the other, but not both. \ _Isince this is the third successful laboratory replication of this experiment, it suggests that this technique for finding a hidden target may be robust enough to use ini ~ "applications for which such information is needed, such as locating a kidnap victim. _», The best subject in the FY 1987 experiment showed a reduction in the area that would need to be searched in 72% of the trials in the space condition, with an average reduction in area of 33%. Previous experiments showed even greater reductions. In real-world applications, this could represent a substantial savings in resources. (U) A second search experiment was conducted in FY 1987 to see if self-proclaimed dowsers could find a lost ship by searching a grid overlaid on a map. The object of the search was a sunken Spanish galleon called The Atocha, which was actually found in 1985. The experiment was preceded by a real-world search in which one of the participants successfully located another sunken ship by choosing the correct locations on an unmarked grid. Accompanied by SRI personnel, the participant was in a vessel anchored over the site of the wreck at the time of the experiment. The Atocha experiment was carried out with two sets of 25 trials for each of five participants, but failed to produce a single significant result. 25. (U) Objective H, Task 1--RA Effects on Single Alpha Particles (U) Due to unforeseen circumstances, the alpha particle experiment never reached a point where it was stable enough to collect data from human participants. After careful consideration of the cost to continue and the results of the other RA experiments for FY 1987, it was decided to stop work on this task. What follows is an engineering summary of the state of the system at close-out. (U) During FY 1987, SRI developed a novel, position-sensitive system to detect alpha particles. In order to reduce the cost and complexity of the system, we elected to employ 32 Approved For Release eae aaa : CIA-RDFPS-00789R009200160001-8
I [ 32. (U) FY 1986 Objective E, Task 1--PMT Final Approved For Release oonosier : CIA-RDP9§-00789R003200160001-9 ;We conducted a replication of work published in FY 1984 in | which we experimentally examined the possibility that light is emitted in the vicinity of correctly identified remote viewing target material. In that. earlier experiment, a state-of-the-art, ambient temperature, | photon-counting system was used to monitor the target material (35-mm slides of National Geographic photographs). The statistical measure derived | from the photon counting apparatus in that study showed a significant posijtive correlation with the RV results (p <0.035). That is, when the remote viewing was good, there was an increase in the signal detected by the photon-count ing system. In addition, we observed two anomalous pulses having a signal-to-noise ratio of about 20 or 40:1. In the present experiment (FY 1987), we improved all hardware aspects of the previous work, substantially reducing the background noise level and improving shielding against artifact. In addition, analysis of the remote viewing indicates that three out of the four viewers produced independently significant results. “, Our analysis of the PMT data shows no evidence of any anomalous high-count-rate pulses, no evidence of any effect on the PMT output during the RV session, and no evidence of any significant correlation between RV performance and PMT output. We conclude that (1) the effect proposed by the Chinese is artifactual in nature, and (2) suggest that the significant correlation observed in our 1984 study is either a statistical anomaly or the result of Intuitive Data -Sorting on the part of the experimenters. 33. (U) Objective J, Task 1--Administrative Support (U) There are no deliverables required for this Task. 34. (U) Objective J, Task 2--Publications (U) There are no deliverables required for this Task. 35. (U) Objective J, Task 3--Computer Hardware/Software Maintenance (U) SRI has negotiated a contract with Sun Microsystems that offers software maintenance and support coverage at a greatly reduced rate to all Sun users at SRI. The overall 42 : CIA-RDP96+00789R003200160001-9 Approved For Release 2001/03/60
ARBRE ER EB RP PPP PP PPP Pe Approved For Release 2001/0307 : C1A-RDP94,00789R003200160001.9 ~~ I INTRODUCTION (U) A. (U) Overview \ Ya accrrdance with the requirements set forth under the program “Enhanced : , this document Human Performance {nvestigations” _ provides a progress up‘late for work performed by SRI International during Fiscal Year (FY) 1988. The aim of the five-year program (FY 1986-1990) is to provide research and development in the arr! of psychoenergetics as a means for enhancing human performance we . B. (U) Definitions (U) Psychoenerselic phenomena are defined here as direct interactions between human consciousness and the environment which can be observed and recorded although the mechanism is unexplaed. These human capabilities fall into two main categories: (1) the acquisition of information, and (2) the production of physical effects. These can be further defined as: e Remote Virwing (RV)/Extrasensory Perception (ESP) - The ability to gain access, by mental means alone, to concealed data or remote sites. e Remote Action (RA)/Psychokinesis (PK) - The ability to influence, by mental means alon«, Physical or biological systems. Cc. (U) Program Scope t , This program is designed to provide the necessary foundation to assess various aspects of Seychoenery" tics { it spans many fields and research facilities, personnel, and consultants. The program is highly diverse and interdisciplinary; Furthermore it initiated an in-depth investigation into the neurophysiological aspects of psychoenergetic phenomena. D. (U) Program Objectives The program has four basic objectives: (1) to document that psychoenergetic phenomena are real and reproducible; (2) to determine the mechanism(s) underlying these 1 Approved For Release oor/osio7 : CIA-RDPS6|00789R005200160001-8
Approved For Release 2001/43/07 : CiA-RDP}6-00789R002200160001-9 phenomena; (3) to develop practical applications* Rend (4) to bring the field of psychoenergetics into the mainstream of human performance research, by providing a scientific foundation equivalent to that of the rest of the performance research field. In the minds of some, there is no doubt that psychoenergetic phenomena are real and reproducible. In the minds of many others, both scientific professionals and informed lay persons, this is not the case. E. (U) Program Resources (U) To meet the above objectives, the SRI program uses both in-house and external expertise. For over a decade, a core group of researchers at SRI has been studying a wide variety of subjects in psychoenergetics—augmented by access to centers that specialize in related topics. (U) Some of the work is subcontracted to institutions and consultants who have a demonstrated track record in this research area. Other subcontractors may have had no association with this field but, because of their specific area of expertise, can make valuable contributions to our program goals. Thus, the widest possible interdisciplinary viewpoints are available to the program, and the mixture of resources ensures that peer group review and scientific interactions are maximized. Subcontractors and consultants currently include personnel from Psychophysical Research Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL),* plus consultants having expertise in specific areas of interest to the program. ee * (U) The project does not have a technical subcontract with LANL for administrative reasons only. The sponsor has let a separate contract that is technically supervised by SRI. 2 Approved For Release 20004 : c1A-RDP96-0789R003200160001 -9
ee ee ee eee Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 C. (U) Progress to Date for Each Objective/Task (U) The progress to date for each Objective and Task in the Statement of Work is described below. 1. (U) Objective A, Task 1--Statistical Protocols and Research Design (U) In June, we sent four separate protocols to the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC) for review. They were: (1) An RV experiment to be conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory. (2) A hypnosis experiment to be conducted at SRI. (3) A mass screening procedure. (4) A neurophysiological investigation using magnetoelectroencepholography techniques. Because we did not receive any comments back from the SOC on these protocols, we proceeded with the various experiments as stated. | 2. (U) Objective A, Task 2-~Access to Ongoing Experiments (U) During the year, three members of the SOC, Dr. M. Wartell, Dr. B. Skyrms, and Dr. R. Morris, paid site visits. 3. (U) Objective A, Task 3--Critical Review. (U) In order to review the year’s work, SRI International hosted a two-day conference for the SOC on November 3 and 4, 1988. Their comments and SRI’s responses can be found in the Appendix. 4. (U) Objective B, Task 1--Identify New and “Excellent” Remote Viewers (U) During FY 1988, SRI screened a total of 196 individuals from SRI, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Society for Scientific Exploration for remote viewing ability. The video disk technology and protocol that were developed during FY 1987 were used in this effort. ‘ Of the 196 individuals who participated in the first-level screening, 16 were selected for a second-stage screening that involved 8 trials under SRI’s normal remote viewing protocol. Of these, 2 produced excellent results and have subsequently been invited to join the research effort as part-time viewers. 4 Approved For Release 2001/03/0 -G1A-RDP96-00789R005200160001-
re - Approved For Release 3004403107 : cia-pbP96-00789R003200160001-9 5. (U) Objective C, Task 1--Obtain Successful Replications Of RV (U) This task was abandoned by agreement with the sponsor in order to focus more attention on Objective D, Task 1. 6. (U) Objective D, Task 1--Determine Physiological Indicators Of RV (U) A contract was let to Los Alamos National Laboratory in order to determine whether there are neurophysiological indicators of remote viewing. Two protocols were designed that represented replications of earlier work. One was a remote-conditioning design where a viewer received a direct stimulus (light) after a remote light had flashed. The second was a replication of earlier SRI work in which it was found that one individual exhibited significant alpha blocking as the result of a remote stimulus (light). j : Six individuals participated in experiments conducted at Los Alamos. Some of them exhibited a response to a remote stimulus approximately 100 ms after the onset of the stimulus. Given the shielding environment, it remains possible that the central nervous systems of these individuals are sensitive to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. High-frequency radiation should be shielded in any further investigations. ? All of the three individuals who participated in the SRI replication attempt demonstrated significant changes in alpha power across the remote stimulus boundary. 7,  (U) Objective E, Tasks 1 and 2--Determine The Effects Of Robust Feedback On RV Quality (U) We have used the data from the second-level screening screening task (Objective B, Task 1) to examine the role of robust feedback on RV performance. The data from 85 second-level screening remote viewings were used in the analysis. One of the target categories, Natural, showed a significant tendency over the other categories C Science/Industrial, and Projects) to produce better remote viewing. One single target in the Projects category (Deep Quest—an underwater scene and submersible) also showed a significant tendency to be “visible.” ; We have examined the possibility that such results could arise because of a judging preference for more interesting targets. In one case, there was bias against one of the less interesting targets, but judging biases are unable to account for the target preferences. As was found in other laboratories, it appears that moving targets with complete (video and audio) feedback provide the best RV targets, static images with no audio feedback the worst. 5 Approved For Release 2001/4107 : sia-ropsb-oo7sen00s200160001 -9
Approved For Release 2001/0317 : CIA-RDP96 00789R003200160001-9 8. (U) Objective E, Task 3--Determine The Effects Of Hypnosis On RV Quality (U) During FY 1987, we found that significant remote viewing was observed after a hypnotic recall of an earlier viewing against the same target. In FY 1988, remote viewing sessions were conducted while the viewers remained in trance. The idea was to determine if factors that lead to noise in the response could be reduced or eliminated using hypnosis. v \ Two viewers (one experienced and one not) participated in the experiment. The results failed to meet statistical significance, and the qualitative assessment of the viewings was in agreement with the statistical result. We conclude that conducting remote viewing experiments with the viewers in trance does not decrease or eliminate the confounding noise. 9. (U) Objective E, Task 4--Determine The Source Of “Mental Noise” In Binary Psychoenergetic Tasks ‘ \ During the FY 1986 effort we conducted a formal series of 50 binary trials using a forced-choice protocol. One selected viewer (V002) produced a hitting rate of 64% (p < 0.033) and an effect size of r = 0.26. These data were collected after a number of exploratory trials that were conducted earlier in that year, but this formal result was declared to bea fiducial point (i.e., relative baseline) with which to measure any future progress. ‘_ During FY 1987, 327 binary trials were conducted to see if V002 could sense if he were in psychoenergetic contact with the intended target, and 1341 trials were conducted to if VO02 could predict in advance his hitting rate. W002 was unable to accomplish the latter task, but but he was able to sense contact with the target in the former task. The effect sizes (i.e., a measure of psychoenergetic magnitude) that were observed for the in-contact and not-in-contact conditions were identical (r = 0.2), while for the uncertain case chance hitting was observed (r = 0.09). During FY 1988, 477 binary trials were conducted with the same viewer, in order to determine (subjectively) the source of mental noise in binary remote viewing. The excess hitting rate involved periods of growth followed by periods of consolidation. One period (68 trials) showed a marked decline. This was the only period during which V002 attempted a large number of trials at one sitting. V002's hitting rate (computed in trial increments) showed a strong, but not significant, increase. According to V002's subjective impression of his own internal mental processes, the sources of noise include (but are not limited to) beliefs about the tarbet, imagination, and comparison with past experiences. \ \ At the end of FY 1988, V002 participated in another formal series of 50 tridls each. He produced a hitting rate of 76% (p < 1.53 Xx 10-*) for an effect size of 0.51. Approved For Release 2001/03/67 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9
~~ Pe... = See = en 1 7. 2 - Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDPR6-00789R003200160001-9 —_—M oe Assuming that the fiducial value of 64% hitting rate was the true rate in FY 1986, then the FY 1988 result is significantly greater (p < 0.038). baiven that there was a significant enhancement in hitting rate during the formal trials, and that in FY 1988 there was a strong improvement in hitting rate during the exploratory phase, it is possible, then, to conclude that some of the sources of noise found by V002 might be valid. Although it is unlikely (because of the decline effect) that practice can account for the improvement, we are unable to rule it out with the current protocol. The challenge for future research is to develop a protocol to test specific sources of noise. 10. (U) Objective F, Task 1~~Determine Appropriate Parameters For Fuzzy Set RV Analysis ‘ — All of the remote viewings conducted during FY 1987 that used National Geographic magazine have been reanalyzed during FY 1988. The analysis of these data used a subjective rank—-order technique. For each RV response, the intended target and 6 decoys were ranked in order from most to least correspondence. The combined average sum-of-ranks was 3.781 where the expected average was 4.00 (z = 1.87; p < 0.031). Thus, even including the reaJ~time versus precognition experiment which failed to reach independent statistical significance, the total RV effort for FY 1987 showed statistical evidence for remote viewing. (U) One of the most pressing problems in remote viewing is to determine the quantitative amount of information that is transferred. Before any basic physics model of remote viewing can be developed, it is critical to know the amount of information. There have been a number of attempts to quantify the information content in natural scenes in the past, but none of them appeared to work as a description of even that target portion of the remote viewing. It is an even more difficult problem to codify the information content in. natural language (i.e, the response). (U) A number of attempts were made during FY 1988 to use various entropy encodings in order to discover what is required for more precise determinations. None of the attempts produced satisfactory results. We speculate that there may by a fundamental limit to information encoding of an RV experiment. The limit arises in that is appears impossible to tell whether a particular target element is sensed by RV techniques or is simply due to a natural bias on the part of the viewer. It may be possible, however, to construct an information encoding based on a measure of average response bias. Much more work is needed before an accurate encoding is possible. Approved For Release 200'103/07 : Cl 96-00789R003200160001-9
approved For Release 200/1/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 ( Final Report . December 1988 Covering the Period November 1983 to October 1985 ENHANCED HUMAN PERFORMANCE INVESTIGATIONS (U) 4 Prepared for; 2 7 ( r ~Copy— of 3- Copies This document consists 3 of pages COPY | ON! NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS (Sra For Releases20 é@lArRDPSS:80789R003200160001 9 International PRR RIOT @ THY ONES E MG @ Toten 38
ar — Approved For Relea 01/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 I. (U) Objective ee ee (U) The objective of this program was to provide an overview of the curr Cin - psychoenergetics research and, based upon this assessment, to recommend avenues of ap Proach for future investigations. II. (U) Background (U) Psychoenergetic research can be divided into two major areas of interest: (1) Informational Processes (2) Causal Processes. Each of these areas can be subdivided further into training, screening, and fundamentals such as various type of functional correlates (e.g., psychological, physiological, and physical). ,During FY 1985, SRI International completed a retrospective analysis of a substantial body of open and classified literature in order to assess existence issues, research questions and potential applications of the previously reported activity in these areas. Subsequently, part of this analysis produced two reports that outlined an improved remote viewing analysis technique and provided a meta-analysis of the random number generator literature. (These two reports are included as Appendix A and B, respectively.) What follows are the recommendations, for a three-phase multi-year research effort. III. (U) Recommendation A. (U) Phase I—Knowledge Building (U) Phase I is considered to be a knowledge building effort. During this phase, SRI recommends that some form of technical oversight be included in order to provide guidelines on research protocols, to assess the credibility of the research, and to provide insight into new directions for future research. This phase should be as wide in scope as resources allow. More focused research should be delayed until a knowledge base is established. Table 1 shows the specific areas that are recommended for consideration as research items for Phase I. is Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA- -00789R003200160001-9
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : Cla-RQP94-00789R003200160001-s Table 1 (U) PHASE I RECOMMENDED RESEARCH AREAS Description Informational Processes Analysis A quantitative remote viewing (RV) analysis technique. Training Novice and advanced RV training methodologies. Screening Techniques to identify good remote viewers. Physical Correlates A search for RV correlates to the physical environment. Personality Correlates A search for personality traits in good remote viewers. Physiological Correlates A search for physiological correlates to RV. Medical Correlates Monitor medical conditions of all viewers. Feedback | Determine the role of feedback in RV experiments. Spatial Search Determine if items can be located in space. Temporal Search Determine if events can located in time. Causal Processes Micro-remote Action Remote action (RA) on random number generators. Intuitive Data Sorting Test the Intuitive Data Sorting Model. Macro-remote Action Test a variety of physical systems as RA targets. Correlates As above, determine correlates to RA. General Information Services Develop a user~accessible library system. UNCLASSIFIED (L) While some of the items shown in Table 1 can be considered beyond existence | issues and thus should be considered during Phase II, the predominant effort is toward knowledge building. B. (U) Phase Il—Development (U) During Phase II, research areas from the Phase I effort that yielded incontrovertible evidence for their existence, will be expanded. With the assistance of a | | technical oversight committee, hypotheses will formulated and tested. (5 Those areas under Phase I that showed the most promise, | will be expanded toward a potential application area. For example, if a physiological measure could be found that correlated strongly with | excellent remote viewing, then that measure could be used to improve } i i applications. Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : C1A-RDPPS-00780R003200160001-2 C. (U) Phase III—Applications ‘ While continuing Phases I and II on specific items of ; interest, Phase III will be devoted toward applications\ 7 { > This activity should include at least two parts: (1) Applications research--Formulate and test hypotheses that are specific with regard to potential applications. —, (2) Application testing--Under actual, __ conditions, conduct psychoenergetic activity to assess field utility. IV. Financial Report During FY 1985 a total of $1,240 K was allocated to contract a or the psychoenergetic investigation and review. All moneys were expended in accomplishing the stated objective. 3 a Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9 Ay ¢ Final nope fot E, Tasks 1 ana2 | December 1988 Covering the Period 1 October roar to 30 September 1988 FEEDBACK AND TARGET DEPENDENCIES IN REMOTE VIEWING EXPERIMENTS (U) r 7 Prepared for: i Internation __copy—LorsCépies This document consists of 8 pages (any For Release 20011037 : CIARDPS6. 0789R003200160001-9
Approved For Release/2001 103/07 - cua RDP96-00789R00320016000" -9 I INTRODUCTION (U) (U) One of the intriguing questions about remote viewing (RV) and similar kinds of experiments is the extent to which feedback influences the results. For example, in FY 1987 SRI International conducted an experiment which showed that subject performance did not seem to be dependent on the intensity of the feedback provided.’ The feedback intensities in that experiment, however, were all minimal and did not allow for detailed study of the target. (U) In FY 1988 we created a new target pool. This pool is contained on video disks and consists of short movie segments, natural scenes, and other composite target material. Some of the targets have no sound; some contain music only but no words, and some have complete conversations. Thus, various targets differ in both visual and audio complexity. (U) In all of the experiments for which this target pool has been used, the subjects have been given feedback by viewing the video disk segment selected as the target. For all of the experiments covered in this report, feedback was vivid in the sense that the subjects could view the target segment as many times as desired. (U) The purpose of the task covered by this report was to see if the quality of these remote viewings (as measured by rank-order judging) differed based on an amalgam of target type and feedback complexity. Because the target pool was not constructed specifically with this task in mind, we were unable to differentiate between the effects of target type and feedback complexity. ea We examined the ranks assigned by judges when each video disk segment was the intended target. compared with the ranks assigned when that segment was not the intended target. We found that the targets in the “natural” category. which were more homogeneous than the other targets, tended to result in better remote viewings. Further, of the individual targets, one resulted in a significant sum of ranks. That particular target did not receive higher than rrr * (U) May, E. C. and Lantz, N. D., “Feedback and Precognition Dependent Remote Viewing Experiments (U),” Final Report, Objective F, Tasks 1a_and_ 1b, Project 1291, SRI International, Menlo Park, California (December 1987) aan + (U) This report constitutes the deliverable for Objective E, Tasks 1 and 2. Due to project priorities, separate experiments were not performed for these Objectives. Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003200160001-9