AN ATTEMPTED VALIDATION OF THE RYZL TECHNIQUE FOR TRAINING ESP SUBJECTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): NSA-RDP96X00790R000100040007-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 1, 2008
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: March 1, 1966
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2008/04/01: NSA-RDP96XO079OR000100040007-7
JOURNAL
of the
Society for Psychical Research
VOLUME 43 No. 727 March 1966
AN ATTEMPTED VALIDATION OF THE
'RYZL TECHNIQUE' FOR TRAINING
ESP SUBJECTS
by JOHN BELOFF AND IAN MANDLEBERG
1. INTRODUCTION
N o THING could do more at the present time to advance the cause
of parapsychology as a science than some method of developing a
dependable level of ESP ability in an ordinary volunteer subject.
When the senior author read in this Journal (Rftl 1962) about the
work going on in Prague towards this end, based on the use of
an hypnotic training technique, he was anxious to try and follow
it up. Unfortunately, the article in question dealt almost exclusi-
vely with the attainments of one remarkable subject Miss J.K.
while Rfzl's many subsequent publications are all devoted to the
card-guessing exploits of another star subject: Mr P.S. Con-
sequently, although by now over Soo volunteers have undergone
some amount of training at Rfl's hands, over the past 15 years or
so, the published literature is still conspicuously lacking in any
systematic reports on attempts to validate the 'Ryzl technique'.1
Our first aim in undertaking the investigation we are about to
report was to make good this deficiency.
In the Summer of 1964 J.B., who had kept up a regular corres-
pondence with Dr Rj+zl, went to Prague for a month to try and
learn at first hand about Dr Rfl's methods. Unfortunately it
1 We are not overlooking the excellent 'Cambridge E S P-I Ivpnosis
Experiments 1958-64' (see this Journal, 43, June 1965, 77-92) but we
presume that the Cambridge group would agree that their investigation,
which was begun before the publication of Ryzl's findings, is somewhat
tangential to the specific claims of the 'R f+zl technique' as here described.
14 229
Approved For Release 2008/04/01: NSA-RDP96XO079OR000100040007-7
 Approved For Release 2008/04/01: NSA-RDP96X00790R000100040007-7
y -.4), and no trainee subjects
. Le uten available and, in fact, much of the time was taken up
with a joint experiment with the ever-ready P.S. as subject (see
J. Of ParapsYchol. 29, 1965, 1.12). But P.S., though he has, by
dint of his extraordinarily long career as a high-scorer, become
the most celebrated of Ryzl's subjects, is by no means a typical
product of the Rftl stable. Very early on in his career he began
to specialize in card-guessing to the exclusion of any other task
and soon, moreover, dispensed entirely with hypnosis. Yet; the
'Ryzl technique', as we are here using this expression, is con-
cerned primarily with clairvoyance of what might be called the
'eyeless sight' variety as distinguished from the familiar card-
guessing kind, that is to say the subject, when successful, is sup-
posed to experience a quasi visual percept of the target object, he
does not just make a verbal response that happens to be correct.
The Ryzl technique appears to involve two essential stages:
(i) Repeated hypnotic sessions during which the subject
becomes practised at experiencing to order vivid visual
hallucinations.'-
(ii) Further hypnotic sessions during which the subject is
encouraged to try ascertaining selected target objects which
should now give rise to veridical hallucinations. Special
emphasis at this stage is laid on combining an attitude of
intense concentration with an emptying the mind of all
distracting thoughts and images to make it as receptive as
possible to incoming impressions.
It is important to note that it is not hypnosis as such that is the
crux of the 'Ryzl technique' but rather hypnosis as an avenue to
the attainment of veridical hallucination. In our investigation we
have accordingly deliberately avoided the use of the customary
E S P tasks, involving lengthy sequences of rote-guessing, in favour
of tasks involving only one trial at a sitting, in the course of which
the subject is urged to make an all out effort to visualize the target
in question.
During the Autumn Term '64 about 5o volunteer students
were each given at least one hypnotic session and from this
number 20 were eventually selected to take part in flit, critical
validation experiment reported below. Two criteria only were
considered in making the selection: (a) whether flit- :a,l-jcct was
1 We are using the term 'hallucination' in keeping %vii Ii It j : I's own usage
but to avoid misunderstanding the reader should n,.Ir? iltat we are refer-
ring to the type of hallucination which occiirs %% lilt (lrr a}-es closed as in
dreams. Some may prefer the expression 'vivid ci?nr:rl imagery'.
sufficiently susceptible to hypnosis and (b) whether the subject
was keen enough to agree to come every week for the remainder
of the academic year if necessary, for a one-hour session. It may
be of interest to note that of our original sample of 5o not more
than 4 had to be rejected as being incapable of attaining a
trance state within a reasonable period of time. Before the students
went away for the Christmas Vacation each of the selected 20
subjects had undergone 5 preliminary training sessions involving
a wide variety of hypnotic exercises and some tentative assorted
ESP tests.
For the critical validation experiment we planned for the Spring
Term, we decided to use both some 'open' tests, i.e. tests in which
the target might be anything at all within a certain category, as
far as the subject is informed, as well as 'selective answer' tests
where the subject knows what the alternatives are. Although the
latter have become much more common in parapsychological
experimentation, since they lend themselves more readily to
precise quantitative evaluation, Ryzl was of the opinion that his
subjects performed more successfully on tests of the former sort,
presumably because they discourage mere guessing habits in
favour of careful attention to the subject's own impressions.
Ordinarily, a validation experiment requires a control group
who are matched against the experimental group but who do not
receive the special treatment accorded the latter. In the present
instance, however, it would obviously be a prodigious waste of
time to run such a control group until we were in a position to
demonstrate that the experimental group (a) performed at a con-
sistently above chance level and (b) improved as a function of
practice. Accordingly, all 20 subjects were assigned to the one
experimental group. Before the experiment commenced a full
description of our proposals was sent to Dr Ryzl for comment and
he, we are glad to say, graciously gave it his blessing. The
experiment now to be described occupied all io weeks of the Spring
Term '65.
II. TiiE EXPERIMENT
i. Subjects
Twenty student volunteers, io male, 1o female, all of whom had
previously undergone five preliminary hypnotic training sessions.
2. Experimenters
Fourteen of the above subjects were allocated to I.M. who
became their regular hypnotist-experimenter, the remaining six
Approved For Release 2008/04/01: NSA-RDP96X00790R000100040007-7
 Approved For Release 2008/04/01: NSA-RDP96X00790R000100040007-7
........ t... -. .. .... aab~, v ?J vv au ra ~ OLaaa aL .....,,,,, .... a.._
case the non-hypnotist took over the duties of note-taker.
3. Procedure
Each subject came once a tiveck for io weeks for a one-hour
session. When the subject was comfortably settled in his easy
chair our first job was to get him securely hypnotised. Standard
methods of induction were used, ordinarily the subject would be
told to fixate a certain spot on the centre lamp-fixing while the
hypnotist would count slowly to ten interspersing his counting
with suggestions of drowsiness. After a while we found that
most subjects could be put into a trance if the hypnotist merely
snapped his fingers while they were gazing up at the light. Once
hypnosis had supervened much further effort was expended in
trying to deepen and stregthen the trance state. Sometimes the
subject would be asked to estimate on a six-point scale the level
of trance he had attained.
When induction was complete, and this might easily occupy
the first io minutes of the session, the subject would be blind-
folded. Although Ryzl preferred to rely on screening we had
decided that blindfolding would permit greater flexibility. This,
as we soon discovered, demanded a certain amount of improvisa-
tion. Thus, we began by using a pair of underwater goggles with
the eye-pieces blacked out and the rubber surrounds stuck clown
to the subject's face at the critical region of cheek and nose with
strips of i-inch oxide plaster. Then, during the third session, for
the sake of greater comfort for the subject, we introduced a blind-
fold made from a double thickness of felt fastened with elastic
and stuck to the subject's face as before. Finally, during the
seventh session, we substituted for this a specially designed face-
mask which we believed offered the greatest security with the least
discomfort. It was made of wire-mesh covered over in a double
thickness of felt and came down under the subject's chin and
was fastened by elastic round his head and neck. It also pro-
truded at the forehead to allow a free circulation of air.
A tray was then set before the subject, resting on the arms of
his easy chair, and the informal exercises for that session would
commence. These involved the subject in trying to obtain an
impression of some target (a picture, an inscription, an object,
etc.) that had been placed on his tray or in trying to receive a
colour impression merely by touching some coloured material.
For these informal exercises we improvised continually, always
with a view to stimulating as much as possible the subject's
with the subject, tell him how he was doing, exhort bun or cauuw-
him as the situation demanded.
The second half, roughly, of each hourly session, was devoted
to the critical tests (see below). During a critical test there was,
of course, no interchange between subject and experimenter.
Ordinarily, the test would be announced and then nothing further
would be said until the subject had finished giving his responses.
Occasionally, however, the experimenter found it necessary in
view of the semi-stuporous condition of some subjects to inter-
ject some remark such as 'have you finished yet?' or 'take your
time', etc. Originally we had decided not to give knowledge of
results on any of the critical tests. For the sake of morale, how-
ever, we did later make a practice of telling the subject every
time he scored a direct hit on any of the 'selective answer' tests.
A verbatim record, as near as possible, was kept of everything
the subject said throughout an entire session and, in addition,
his responses on the 'object' and 'picture' tests (see below) were
tape-recorded.
As an incentive, half-a-crown was awarded for each direct hit
plus a lump sum of ten shillings at the end for goodwill. Despite
the frustrating nature of the work subjects were most co-operative
and we were pleasantly surprised to find that there was little
difficulty in maintaining good motivation and morale.
4. The Tests
In all, 6 critical tests were used: 3 of the 'selective answer'
kind, 3 of the 'open' kind. Dice were thrown at each session
to determine in which order the tests should be administered (at
first we gave the tests in what we assumed would be an order of
difficulty but we discovered that the use of a fixed order resulted
in subjects anticipating their responses before the next test had
been announced). Dice were also thrown to determine which
particular target would be used for each test. Each subject was
given one trial only on each of the 6 tests described below and,
since there were 20 subjects each doing io sessions the number of
responses recorded per test was: 20 x 10 = 200.
(i) The Clock Test
The clock used was an ordinary domestic clock with a circular
dial of 12.5 cm diam. set into a square frame. The hours were
each marked with an arabic numeral. The following extract
233
Approved For Release 2008/04/01: NSA-RDP96X00790R000100040007-7
 Approved For Release 2008/04/01: NSA-RDP96XO079OR000100040007-7
Ju..,1iuw of lire .Society for Psychical Research [V'OL.43, NO. 727
from the Instruction Sheet circulated beforehand to all subjects
explains the exact nature of the task:
'A clock will be set before you on your tray with its big hand always
pointing to the 12 o'clock position and its little hand pointing to one
of the hour positions as randomly determined anew on each occasion.
YOUR TASK is to ascertain which of the 12 positions the little hand is
pointing to. Your initial ascertainment must be done without touching
the clock but you may then run your fingers over the glass cover and
revise your answer if you wish. Your revised response will then be
accepted as final for the purpose of scoring.'
A record was taken after each trial of the actual position of the
hour-hand and the subject's call.
(2) The Block Test
FIG. 1. Plan of Matrix to scale showing black target-block at Ca.
'A! IB
4S
3 3 2 2
3C4 3D4
The blocks used in this test were plastic toy building blocks,
2.4 cm x 1.6 cm x i cm high, manufactured by Lego Ltd who
kindly supplied us free of charge with sets of coloured blocks that
had all been extruded from the identical mould to make sure that
any surface irregularities should be equalized as between the
different colours. The following extract from the Instructions
Sheet explains the exact nature of the task:
MARCii 1966] The 'R}"'al Technique' for Training ESP Subjects
'The target material in this case consists of a 4 X 4 matrix of "Lego"
blocks affixed to a green Lego base. All the blocks except one are white,
the one odd block is black and its position in the matrix will be randomly
determined anew on each occasion. YOUR TASK is to pick off with your
fingers the black target block, though you may finger all the blocks as
much as you please until you have located it. Note that the matrix is
so placed as to fall readily into four 2 X 2 sub-matrices and some credit
will be given for selecting the correct quadrant even when the target
unit is incorrect:
The position of the target-block and the position identified by
the subject was recorded at each trial.
(3) The Colour-Card Test
The target materials were made up from Windsor & Newton
gummed colour papers stuck on to 2" x z" squares of card. Five
different colours were used as targets but to discourage guessing
the subjects were not told which five colours would be used. For
purposes of scoring an identification was counted as correct if
the appropriate colour-name Blue, Red, Orange, Yellow or Green
was ascribed to the appropriate target. Once again the exact
nature of the task is best explained by quoting directly from the
Instructions Sheet:
'Five squares of coloured card will be set out in front of you in a row,
mounted on black paper and covered over with a transparent perspex
sheet. One of these squares is different from the other four. YOUR
TASK is to say whether the odd square is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th from
the left, to identify its colour and to identify the different colour of the
four other squares. Both the position of the odd square and the par-
ticular combination of colours used will be randomly selected anew on
each occasion. You are free, if you wish, to run your fingers over the
perspex sheet.'
At the termination of each trial a record was made of the 3
critical independent variables of the target layout and of the
subject's response on each.
(4) The Word Test
The five target words used were:
A. BANANA B. FREEZE C. KISS D. GOOD E. Tisu,%iP
These words had been chosen arbitrarily but with the special
proviso that no two words should have any letters in common.
We had hoped this would facilitate matching of the subject's
responses when it came to analysing the results. Words were
made up from ii" high, thick solid black, capital, sans-serif
Approved For Release 2008/04/01: NSA-RDP96XO079OR000100040007-7
 Approved For Release 2008/04/01: NSA-RDP96XO079OR000100040007-7
Sheet:
'A single English word in large black capitals of standard dimensions
on a white ground will be presented to you on the tray where it will be
covered over by a transparent perspex sheet. YOUR TASK is to read the
target word or, failing that, to mention as many of the letters belonging
to it as may come through to you. Note that only 5 different words
will be used as targets, the particular target word on each occasion
being randomly selected anew on each occasion. You may, if you wish,
run your fingers over the perspex cover.'
At the end of each trial a record was taken of the target word and
of the sequence of letters given in the subject's response.
(5) Picture Test
The 5 target pictures used were as follows:
A. Cramond Harbour: Large colour-photo of waterside
scene on a calm sunny day but with no human figures.
Three small yachts are visible without sails, there are trees,
grass, rocks, a swan and a stone house in the background on
extreme left.
B. Charlie Chaplin: Black-and-white full-face still of Chaplin
from 'City Lights'. Figure shown from above the waist.
C. Little girl: Coloured magazine advertisement showing
small girl in red dress eating soup, spoon in mouth.
D. 1\'Iusic Room: Coloured photo of an interior. Foreground:
'cello resting on chair, music open on music stand, books
lying on desk at extreme right. Background: grand piano
to left with metronome on top, picture on rear wall of old
city with canals, potted indoor tree in right corner. Carpet:
deep pink ground with elaborate scrollwork pattern in buff.
E. Lady with Ginger Hair: A full-face colour portrait-photo
from Vogue of Jane Asher. Long loose ginger hair falling
about shoulders, broad grin, arms akimbo, wearing mauve
jumper and green tartan skirt.
Instructions Sheet:
'The targets for this test arc various photos such as one finds in
illustrated magazines. The target picture will be laid in front of you
on the tray and YOUR TASK will be to describe it as fully as you can.
'l'oath will not be used. Note that only five different pictures will be
used, the particular target being randomly selected anew on each
occasion.'
A. Brandy glass.
B. Flower-pot.
C. Black doll: a realistic jointed doll in sitting position
wearing off-white coat and hood with red trim.
D. Brass fish: an articulated Indian brass fish with `ruby'
eyes.
E. Egg: a hard-boiled egg in shell.
Instructions Sheet:
'Here the target is some object (which might be anything within
reason providing that it has no characteristic odour and emits no sounds)
which will be placed on the small table to the right of your chair on a
felt pad. YOUR TASK will be to describe the object as fully as you can
and to try whenever possibly to identify the object by name. Note that
only 5 different objects will be used, the particular target being ran-
domly selected anew on each occasion. We regard this as the most
important of the 6 tests.'
Precaution: The target material for all the tests other than the
clock and the Lego Block Matrix were kept in a locked suitcase
throughout the whole period of the experiment except when
actually in use. Coded symbols only were used in recording
results in the notebook to prevent leakage of information.
Direct Hits (D.H.) p =1/12
Total =25
M.C.E. =200/12 =z6.6
Dev. = +7.83' (corrected for continuity)
S.D. = 3.9
C.R. = +2?oi P