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• Publication Date: July 13, 1993
• Content Type: MEMO

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UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
memorandum
DATE: 13 Jul 93
REPLY TO
ATTN OF:
SG1J
Release of Information
U-28,056/PAG-TA
TO: DAP-4,
1. E closed is a request from SAIC for approval to release data
develounder Contract MDA908-93-C-004 for presentation at the
annual me t~ing of the Parapsychological Association which will
be held fro 45-19 August 1993 in Toronto, Canada.
1
111.
SG1J
1
2. The unclassi ,ied tt aerial requested by SAIC for release is
at enclosure 1. AG-TA has reviewed the enclosed material and
endorses its release for presentation at this meeting.
3. Request that action be taken to obtain approval from the DIA
Public Liaison Staff, 703-695-0071 for release of the enclosed
data.
4. Request feedback as to this request NLT 30 Jul 93.
5. The PAG-TA POC is
as Chief, PAG-TA
SG1J
SG1A
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10
(REV. 1-80)
GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.8
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0
Science Applications International Corporation
An Employee-Owned Company
SGFOIA3
SG1J
In compliance with the following item from our Contract MDA908-93-C-004 in the DD-254 dated 12/31/92,
Item 13.d, Security Guidance:
Unclassified information released or generated under this contract shall be restricted to its dissemina-
tion to contractor and government personnel involved in the contract. Release in open-source literature
or exhibition of such information is strictly prohibited without permission of the Director, DIA.
Dear ~ SG 1 J
The Parapsychological Association is conducting its annual meeting from 15-19 August 1993 in Toronto,
Canada. I generally encourage our scientific staff to publish their work in order that they may remain cur-
rent in their discipline.
In that regard, I am requesting permission to present the enclosed paper at this meeting. In addition Dr.
Schlitz of our staff is requesting to conduct a panel discussion that includes some of our work. The details of
her proposed panel discussion are also enclosed with this letter.
Sincerely,
Director, The Cognitive Sciences Laboratory
Edwin C. May, Ph.D.
1010 El Camino Real, Suite 330, P.O. Box 1412, Menlo Park, CA 94025 ? [phone] F n~`
her SAIC ONices A uerq Bo ton, Colored n el s, McLean, Oak Rid e, Orlando Palo Alto Seattle Tucson sC
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Roundtable--1993 Parapsychological Association Convention
Organizer: Marilyn Jean Schlitz
Title: The Skeptic/Proponent Debate in Parapsychology: A View From the Social
Sciences
Requested Time: 90 minutes
Abstract: This roundtable considers the nature of the skeptic/proponent debate in
parapsychology from the vantage points of anthropology, sociolinguistics, social
psychology, and sociology. The panel is not a debate between skeptics and proponents.
Rather, the discussion will focus on the role of the social sciences in identifying underly-
ing issues within the debate as well as the position of the debate within the larger frame-
work of scientific practice. We will consider the position of skepticism in scientific
practice, competing systems of rationality that have been articulated within the debate
discourse, the problems of proof and evidence in anomalies research, the peer review
process in the context of anomalous claims, and how parapsychology looks from the
perspective of the "mainstream." The goal of the roundtable is to facilitate a discussion
about the problems facing parapsychology as a scientific discipline and the strategies
that might be employed to overcome them.
Participants and presentation titles:
Marilyn Schlitz (Stanford University/Cognitive Sciences Lab, SAIC),
Introduction: The Nature of the S/P Debate in Parapsychology
David Hess (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
The Social Sciences and the Defender/Debunker Debate
Marcello Truzzi (Eastern Michigan University)
Is Parapsychology Being Held to Unreasonable Standards by its
Critics?
Daryl Bem (Cornell University)
Presenting Parapsychology to the Mainstream
Lee Ross (Stanford University)
Biased Assessments and Assessments of Bias: Reflections of a
Recent Psychological Bulletin Reviewer
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Presentation Abstracts
Introduction: The Nature of the Skeptic/Proponent Debate in Parapsychology
Marilyn Jean Schlitz
Stanford University/Cognitive Sciences Laboratory, SAIC
This presentation will provide an overview of the skeptic/proponent debate in parapsy-
chology. By adopting a sociolinguistic perspective, the speaker will identify ideological
features of the debate. While an ideal view of science features open communication
between equals, she will argue that such openness, even when attempted, is frequently
limited by the underlying agendas and assumptions of the discourse participants. De-
spite the use of language, concepts, and methods that establish a common ground be-
tween sides, effective communication among skeptics and proponents is frequently
limited at best. Building upon this observation, Schlitz will consider ways in which the
dispute resolution literature may be useful in understanding and ultimately overcoming
barriers to successful communication between skeptics and proponents of psi research.
Is Parapsychology Being Held to an Unreasonable Standard by its Critics?
Marcello Truzzi
Eastern Michigan University
In this presentation, the speaker will draw on his sociological research into anomalous
claims. He will consider the problems of burden of proof and degrees of evidence en-
countered by anomaly claimants. He will compare the standards of proof in normal and
extraordinary science with those found in legal adjudication.
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Presenting Parapsychology to the Mainstream
Daryl Bem
Cornell University
Drawing on his background in social psychology, the speaker will present his observa-
tions based on his recent publication of an article on ganzfeld -ESP research in a main-
stream psychology journal and on his presentation of the ganzfeld data to the 1992
meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He will discuss
reactions to this work from various quarters, including colleagues in mainstream sci-
ence, in the mass media, and in the various Internet forums or newsgroups.
Biased Assessments and Assessments of Bias: Reflections of a Recent Psychological
Bulletin Reviewer
Lee Ross
Stanford University
This presentation will be based on the speaker's recent experience as a reviewer for the
Bem-Honorton article that was published by Psychological Bulletin. The speaker
considers the issue of bias in the reviewing process and considers the standards that are
used to evaluate claims of psi phenomena. Drawing on assumptions based on Baysean
statistics, he will argue that alternative hypotheses must be entertained, although stan-
dards of proof should be higher in studies of anomalous phenomena since claims are
more improbable.
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Some Aspects of Parapsychological Research
in-the Former Soviet Union
Edwin C. May, Ph.D.,
Larissa Vilenskaya
Cognitive Sciences Laboratory
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
Menlo Park, California
Abstract
This paper provides an in-depth discussion of research of
anomalous mental phenomena (AMP) in the former Soviet Union. The
authors spent approximately two months in Russia in 1992 and 1993,
and interacted with researchers in Moscow and Novosibirsk. The
authors primarily discuss experiments in anomalous perturbation
(often referred to as psychokinesis--PK and bio-PK) which have been
the main focus of anomalous mental phenomena (AMP) research
programs in the Soviet Union. In particular, the authors discuss
methodologies and results of experimental attempts by human
operators to affect the following inanimate and animate target
systems: (1) microcalorimeters, (2) electric noise generators, (3)
cellular cultures, (4) plant seeds, (5) plant biopotentials, (6)
frequency of impulses emitted by an electricity-generating fish,
(7) eating behavior of mice, (8) person's reaction time, and (9)
parameters of human EEG.
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1. Introduction
In this paper, we present some of our observations of
anomalous mental phenomena (AMP) research in the former Soviet
Union resulting from our trip to Moscow in September/October obof
1992 and to-Moscow and.Novosibirsk in May of 1993. The purpose
our paper is to provide a narrative overview of the Russian
research. . With few exceptions, the material we have is in-
sufficient to provide: (1) a comprehensive assessment of the
experimental details, or (2) a formal meta-analysis of classes of
studies (e.g., all the bio-PK investigations). As we begin to work with our Russian colleagues, we shall provide the important
additional analyses when the data are available.
AMP research programs in the Soviet Union have primarily
focused on experimental studies in "distant influence" on animate
and inanimate systems, i.e., psychokinesis (PK) and bio-PK. Here
we can recall numerous attempts at PK experimentation with pur-
portedly gifted individuals such as Nina Kulagina (e.g., Volchenko
et al., 1984), extensive studies of mental influence on various
physical systems (e.g., Bobrov, Kolesnikova, & Shraivman, 1986;
Gurtovoy & Parkhomov, 1991, 1992; Kornilov & Rayevsky, 1991), plant
growth (e.g., Morozova, et al., 1989, 1991) and plant biopotentials
(Dolin et al., 1992; Dolin, Davydov, Lemeshko, et al., 1993),
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of plant seeds before
and after ostensible bio-PK influence (Reshetnikova, 1989, 1991).
Following this trend as observed in available Russian literature,
we focus our paper on the analysis of PK and bio-PK studies.
2. "Distant Influence" on Physical Systems ,
2.1. "Distant Influence" on Microcalorimeter
Since early 1980s, Prof. Georgy K. Gurtovoy (Chief of the
Laboratory on Applying Isotopes in ophthalmology at the Research
Institute of Ophthalmology and President of teci t ernational
Academy of Human Potential in Moscow) and PhYs
Parkhomov (Gurtovoy, Dubitsky, & Parkhomov, 1993; Gurtovoy &
Parkhomov, 1991, 1992) have been engaged in studies of "mental
influence" .on physical systems such as microcalorimeters and
electric noise generators.
The set-up of one of the microcalorimeter as the
experiments is shown in Fig. 2.1.
external heat insulation. The microcalorimeter, consisting of an
airtight copper shell (3) and a MMT (metal-metal-thermocouple) type
thermistor (4) with a weight of about 20 mg was located in a metal
beaker'(2). There was also a similar shell (5) nearby, but it
contained the control thermal stable resistor (6). The system is
reportedly sensitive to changes in temperature up to 10-5oC. It is
extremely well shielded. from the environment. According to Gur-
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tovoy and Parkhomov (1992), there was no response from the utters intensity of up calorimeter 'to an electrostatic
d of field
tesla. with a The operat rs ( iP etG
104 V/m, nor to a magnetic field
individuals who attempt to influence the target ion stem) were
located at from 0.5 to 20 km from the device; Were also
tests (Moscow to Novosibirsk was to change the temperature
conducted. . The task of the operator
relative to the control periods. Changes in temperature observed
in these tests were of the order of 0-3'C--a
was c onside re ed a over
mV on the output of the recording device ween (Fig. 2.2). In one of the series, in the experiment beet out of Moscow eight
and Novosibirsk (at a distance of about 4,,000 km),
trials, six "hits" were recorded, p < 2.8 x 10-4 (Poisson's dis-
tribution). In nine control trials during this experiment, there
? It = 0.111. In another long-distance experiment,
was one hit, p
between Moscow and Sofia, there were 13 trials with 8 "hits." We
compute a p-value of 1.1 x 10-4 assuming the previously ostated
within 12 sshows" were
background rate. In yet another series (
distances of up to 20 km), out of 18 trials,
recorded (p < 5.5 x 10_5). The tests seem to be carefully designed,
these that
the
resultsht Using ovide
and there seem to be no apparent
explanation to artifacts
alternative (non -psi) e1984) we compute a combined
method of adding p-values (Rosenthal,
p-value of 1.5 x 10-11 for the three studies. We emphasize that our
background assumption.
may be based on incorrect
robust.
Nonetheless,.their results appear quite
2.2. "Distant Influence" on Electric Noise Generators
Another series of experiments conducted by Gurtovoy and
Parkhomov (1191, 1992) involved infra-low frequency electric,noise
generators, such as bipolar and enhancement-mode
co ductors.l M A noise1signal
micro-circuits, and polycrystal semi
was amplified and filtered with a asourcehwerellocatedninsideza
The generator, amplifier, and power they observed an "order-
ing enclosure. During test periods, Y
ieffect" (Fig. 2.3), i.e., the appearance in the background of
an unordered noise signal of periodic pulsations,
the subsequent pe iOdiof
several seconds to hundreds of seconds, and
solving" of them within the noise signal. Other pueffects lsations of tens
ed
included the occurrence of gradually diminishing p
f the
of seconds to a few seconds; the reduction
noise (Fig. 2.4); or a strong growth
during the time of the effect (Fig. 2.5).
Usually, during the test, two or three generators were working
at the same time. It is claimed, although there was the lack of a
correlation of the-signals in the usual sense, that it was possible
1 These are similar to the random number generator experiments
in the West.
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to observe in different channels the simultaneous (or with small
pulsations
shift in time) appearance of pockets of periodic
different period; sometimes there was also a simultaneous reduction
of the noise level. At least one example is mentioned when an
operator simultaneously affected 4both the microcalorimeter and
electric noise generator (Fig. )
Fig. 2.1. Design of the screened microcalorimeter.
1--Dewar Flask, 2--glass, 3 and 5--shells, 4--thermistor,
6--temperature stable resistor, 7--melting ice.
Fig. 2.2. Fragment of a record of signals obtained during tests
with the operator Alan V. Chumak. 1--establishing "contact" with
.the detector, 2--first distant mental "effect," aimed
the temperature. The distance between the operator and the detec-
tor is 0.5 in, 3--second "effect," aimed at cooling. The operator
is in an adjacent room at a distance of about 3 m from the detec-
tor. At upper left is the result of turning on the electric heater.
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Fig. 2.3. Example of a record of the signal which contains a long
pocket of oscillations within a period of 20 sec. The noise
generator is the 1LB201 microcircuit.
Fig. 2.4. Suppression of the noise of a microcircuit 1LB201 and
fluctuations of the micro calorimeter signal during a test with the
operator Valery V. Avdeyev. 1--establishing of "contact" with the
detector; 2--first "effect" (the operator enters into the state of
"complete calm"), 3--second "effect" (strong excitement), 4--an
attempt of the operator M. Nikolayev from an adjacent Loom to
mentally stimulate V.V. Avdeyev.
Fig. 2.5. Amplitude growth of the noise signal at the time of the
"effect" of the operator P. The noise source is a 1LB201 micro-
circuit (MOS transistors). The time of the "effect" is noted by
the horizontal line.
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The most important question is: what is the probability of
these "order7ed" segments appearing by chance? Gurtovoy and Parkho-
mov do not give a definite answer to this question, thus making
evaluation of this study more difficult. On the other hand, the
"ordering" influence of the mind was hypothesized in other experi-
ments, such-as the attempted influence on background radioactivity
conducted by Dean Radin (1992), who concluded that consciousness
essentially "injects order" into random systems (p. 148).
2.3. An Independent Replication of the Tests of "Mental
Influence" on Electric Noise Generators
Two other researchers in Moscow, Rornilov and Rayevsky (1991),
undertook an independent replication of the study of an operator's
influence on infra-low frequency electric noise generators. In the
pilot test series, semiconductor generators of flicker noise
(bipolar transistors, insulated-gate field-effect transistors--
IGFETs, photoresistors) were placed in a brass beaker which, in
turn, was placed in a Dewar flask. Amplifiers of the channels had
independent power sources with precision micropower voltage
regulators. Reliable screening and thermostabilization of both the
sensors and the amplifiers was provided. During experiments, an
operator was located at a distance of 0.5 to 3 meters from the
Dewar flask. In some trials, the operator was in a separate room
from the apparatus.
In more than 50 pilot tests with different operators, only in
two tests were anomalous changes of flicker-noise amplitude
observed. According to Rornilov and Rayevsky, the probability that
these fluctuations of noise amplitude occurred by chance is,close
to 10_6 The researchers noted that in'the process of operators'
influence, instances, of "orderliness" of noise fluctuations
described in the study by Gurtovoy and Parkhomov (1991, 1992) were
repeatedly observed. However, they do not consider these
peculiarities of the transistors' behavior during the operators'
influence to be positive effects, because the mechanism of
calculating the probability of obtaining such events by chance is
fairly subjective. According to Gurtovoy, however, an almost
"flat" line shown in Fig. 2.4 was never observed during the
background periods.
In the spring of 1993, Rornilov and Rayevsky conducted a
successful replication of their pilot study. It should be noted
that in these tests the researchers observed not just small statis-
tical changes, but rather clear macro-effects in apparently well-
controlled conditions. Since such effects do not occur in control
conditions, in such cases it is very important to re-examine
possible sources of subtle artifacts, because the statistics of
"rare" events are not well understood..
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3. "Distant Influence" on Biological Systems
3.1. Introduction
In this section, we discuss studies conducted by several
individuals-we met while in Russia: the above-mentioned Dr. Georgy
K. Gurtovoy and Alexander G. Parkhomov, Dr. Sergei V. Speransky of
the Institute of Hygiene in Novosibirsk and Leonid M. Porvin of the
Center for Research of Bioinformational Unity of Systems in
Zelenograd (near Moscow), Dr. Tatyana Krendeleva and her associates
of Moscow State University, Dr. Elvira V. Morozova of the Russian
Agricultural Academy in Moscow, as well as experiments of
psychiatrist Dr. Dmitri G. Mirza and biophysicist Dr. Yuri S. Dolin
in Moscow. A broad range of biological target systems, from tissue
cultures to plants, animals, and humans, were used in these
experiments. For some studies, we provide more detailed discrip-
tions than for others, depending on the amount of information at
our disposal and the availability of the original sources to other
researchers. If the original is a hard-to-find publication in the
Russian language, or we describe the studies from pre-publication
copies of manuscripts, or we base our discussion on personal
interaction with the researchers, we attempt to address the
methodologies and obtained results in a greater length.
3.2. Bio-PK Experiments with Cellular Cultures
Biologists Dr. Tatyana Krendeleva and Sergei I. Pogosyan and
their associates at the Division of Biophysics, Department of
Biology, Moscow State University, conducted several studies on the
effects of operators on animate and inanimate systems (Nikolayev,
et al., 1993; Pogosyan, et al., 1993). In one study, the operator
(Igor B. Verbitsky) attempted to increase the chemiluminescence
response of peritoneal neutrophils of mice after the introduction
of latex, a standard cell activity promoter. Neutrophils are cells
which take part in providing immune homeostasis of the body. The
activity of cells was estimated"from` the magnitude of parameter K
= (A-F)/F, were F = the cells' chemiluminescence level in the
absence of latex, and A = the cells' maximum chemiluminescence
level after the introduction of latex. For 18 tests, Ftest/Fcontroi
=. 61.5% + 11.8% and Ktest/Kcontrol = 186.1% ? 23.9%. In other words,
in test trials, the base level of chemiluminescence decreased
approximately by 40%, as compared to the control; while the effec-
tiveness of the cells' chemiluminescence stimulation by latex
increased by about 80%. Thus, according to Krendeleva and her
associates, the operator's effect apparently increases capability
of the cells to respond to a standard stimulator, latex, by an
increase in their production of active forms of oxygen. The results
look suggestive of bio-PK effects, but our lack of knowledge of
details of the experiment and possible sources of artifacts pre-
cludes definite conclusions. Additional studies conducted by Dr.
Krendeleva and her associates will be summarized in section 3.11.
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3.3. Bio-PK Effect on Electrical Properties of Plants
A group of researchers in Moscow, affiliated to the Inter-
national Academy of Human Potential and headed by biophysicist Dr.
Yuri S. Dolin, has been conducting numerous experiments in which
electrophysiological activity of plants was chosen as a target
system (Dolin et al., 1992; Dolin, Davydov, Lemeshko, et al.,
1993). The methodology and results of some of these tests are
included in a paper that is scheduled for presentation at this
convention and is published in this volume .(Dolin, Davydov,
Morozova, & Shumov, 1993). Therefore, without discussing this
study in detail (since details can be found in the published study,
we would like to point out that the controls seem to be adequate
and statistically significant results have been obtained in both
experimental series: one involving an operator's effect on a
single plant, and another involving an operator's purposeful effect
on one of two plants randomly selected in advance. This is one of
the most promising groups in Russia that is actively involved in
experimental studies in the field of parapsychology, and we intend
to continue our cooperation with these researchers.
3.4. Other Attempts at "Distant Influence" on Plants
Elvira V. Morozova from the Russian Agricultural Academy,
together with her associates, carried out several series of
experiments which involved human influence on plant seeds
(Morozova, et al., 1989, 1991). The researchers used wheat, bean,
cucumber, pea and other seeds. The seeds were soaked for 12 to 14
hours in water, after which a test batch was "irradiated" by an
operator for three minutes. The control and the test batches were
allowed to germinate in identical conditions, and after 5 to 15
days the germination of the seeds was inspected and the length of
the roots and sprouts was measured. The influence reportedly
resulted in an increase in germination of the seeds. In one
experimental series with five different operators, the wheat seed
germination was 142%, 123%, 132%, 135%, and 178%, as compared to
the germination of control seeds. In other tests, operators were
reportedly capable of stimulating or retarding plant growth, as
well as causing two sprouts to grow from one wheat seed. According
to the authors, this phenomenon was observed spontaneously in one
of 967 control seeds, but in one or two seeds from every 10 to 15
seeds subjected to operator's effect. In experiments with kidney
beans, sprouts of the seeds subjected to an operator's influence
had an additional number of leaves. With control seeds, in one
series from 38 control seeds, one sprout had this effect while from
10 test seeds four sprouts had it; in another series, from 31
control plants, four sprouts had the effect while from 32 test
plants, 14 sprouts had it.
In many of these tests, seeds were placed in a grounded metal
box, wrapped in black paper. Furthermore, a glass vessel with
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water was placed between the experimenter's hand and the seeds in
order to remove the infrared radiation of the hand. The effects of
other screens (made of aluminum, copper, leather, and glass) were
studied as well. In all the tests the results appeared not to
depend on the material of the screen.
These tests seem to be well-controlled, but there insufficient
data for detailed calculations. We recommend caution in that plant
systems are particularly problematic bio-PK targets.
3.5. "Distant Influence" on Electricity-Generating Fish
Gurtovoy and Parkhomov (1991, 1992) attempted a bio-PK study
in which they monitored the electric response of electricity-
generating fish (Gnathonemus Petersii) to operators' attempts to
"slow down" the fish. This was a replication of a earlier study by
Protasov and his associates (Protasov, et al., 1981) conducted in
the late 1970s at the Research Institute of Evolutionary Morphology
and Clinical Ecology in Moscow and published in a major Soviet
scientific journal. The dependent variable in these tests was the
time interval between electric pulses emitted by the fish. In the
preliminary series (screening) with unselected subjects, six of 31
trials were successful (> 3 standard deviations), p < 3 x 10-12.
In the subsequent formal experiment, eight subjects performed 25
trials, 21 being successful, p < 3 x 10-18. In these teats,
operators started working at random moments of time. The tests
were conducted with the purpose of "calming down" the fish; thus,
the shifts that occurred were in the direction of an increase in
the pulse intervals. At the same time, as Gurtovoy and Parkhomov
pointed out, it is known that the electric fish primarily responds
to changes in its environment (e.g., a change of temperature,
lighting, magnetic field or to sound) with a decrease in the pulse
intervals. Still, although the controls as described by Gurtovoy
and Parkhomov (1991, 1992) seem to be adequate, we believe more
caution is necessary in working with biological systems which are
highly reactive to changes in their environment.
3.6. "Distant Influence" on the Eating Behavior of White Mice
Dr. Sergei V. Speransky, whom one of us (LF) has known for
over 20 years, holds a Ph.D. in Biology and is a specialist in
toxicology with a long-term interest in parapsychology. As a
biologist, he has always been interested in studying ESP in animals
and using animals as biological detectors of human "distant
influence." In the 1970s, he conducted tests on "anomalous" commu-
nication between two groups of white mice (Speransky, 1983, 1990).
The current study that Speransky shared with us during our
trip was conducted in collaboration with Leonid M. Porvin, a
specialist in electronic engineering, who, according to Speransky,
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(the last was in the group of nine mice), respectively. While
other operators worked at relatively small distances (meters from
the mice),'the operator who turned out to be the most successful
affected mice located in Moscow from the town of Yalta in the
Crimea, at a distance of about 800 miles. In January 1993, 15 mice
from 39 in the test group were still alive as compared to zero in
the control group. In the third series, nine out of 10 animals in
one test subgroup and all 10 in another subgroup survived, as
compared to three mice in the control group. The researchers in
Moscow plan to replicate the experiment.
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10 15 20 -25 30
Time after irradiation (days)
PHC.i. Iiieenb MwweA name, y - 06nyneHH9 (900 PaA.), noAeeprmHxCn
npacpnnsKrxaeaCOMY flCACTHHw 6Ho3H anearoa.
l - Kourpoiz 2 - Hr.Banawoaa. 3 OI'.SonpH cKaa
4 - M.B.cDaaKHH (, cram(HouHO); 5 - H.H. [oKa3eea.
Fig. 3.1. The mortality rate of mice after gamma-irradiation of
900 rad in control and with attempted preventive.bio-Pk effect.
(1) control; (2) operator N. G. Balashov; (3) 0. G. Boriso-
glebskaya; (4) M. B. Fatkin (long-distance); (5) N.I. Pokazeyev.
3.8. "Mental Interference" into Another Person's Thinking
Process
Anatoly Arlashin of the Bioinformation Laboratory at A. S.
Popov Society for Radio Engineering, Electronics, and Communica-
tions in Moscow conducted an experiment in which trained sensitives
were asked to "interfere" at a distance into another (sensory-
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isolated) person's mental process. Forty-four college students
(average age 21 years) were invited to participate as subjects.
They knew neither the focus of the laboratory's activities, nor the
real purpose of the test. Each subject was asked to solve six
mathematical problems which consisted in multiplying a two-digit
number by another two.-digit number without the help of pen and
paper, with closed eyes. Problems 4, 5, and 6 consisted of
multiplying the same numbers as problems 1, 2, and 3, but because
the numbers were reversed, the subjects did not notice that these
subsets were identical (this, however, may be a drawback of the
experiment). The mental "interference" group consisted of
sensitives trained in mental imagery techniques. Prior to the
beginning of the test, each subject was invited to come to the room
where the "interference" group was located. The subjects were led
to believe that this was done in order to ask them some formal
questions, but actually it was done to give the members of the
"interference" group the opportunity to see the subjects they would
be asked to affect mentally. In attempting the "interference, " the
sensitives imagined mentally "bombarding" the subject when he was
engaged in a mental calculation task, by a continuous stream of
numbers as well as "sending" the subjects emotions of panic,
uncertainty, and a lack of self-confidence. During the test, the
"interference" group and the subject were located in different
rooms, with another room located between the two.
Before the actual test, each subject was asked to solve an
.additional math problem to "enter" the working mode. Unknowingly
to the subjects, they were divided into four groups: (1) a group.
subjected to "mental interference" when they were solving the first
three (1-3) problems; (2) a group subjected to "mental inter-
ference" when they were solving the last three (4-6) problems; (3)
a group subjected to "mental interference" when they were solving
problems 2, 4, 6; and (4) a control group not subjected to "mental
interference" at any time.
The results were as follows: when "mental interference" was
used when the subjects were working on problems 1-3, there was a
statistically significant increase in the time spent by the
subjects to solve the problems (42.7%, p < 0.001). The "inter-
ference" of two experienced sensitives, Karl Nikolayev and Ludmila
Korabelnikova, was more effective, increasing the time of calcula-
tion by 71.6%. However, if the "interference" was applied when the
subjects were working on problems 4-6, their calculation time
decreased by 21% (p < 0.01). This is consistent with literature
data on effects of sensory interference on performance of any
mental task: when a person starts concentrating on a task, any
distraction usually impedes his/her performance to a certain
degree, but if the person is further ahead in executing the task he
or she responds to distractions by increasing concentration. If
the "mental interference" was applied interchangingly when the
subject was working on problems 2, 4, and 6, there was no
significant effect.
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3.9. "Distant Influence" on Humans with EEG Recording
Dr. Yuri S. Dolin, a biophysicist, whose experiments with
plants we discussed above, showed us the equipment and design of
another bio-PK experiment. While in Moscow in the fall of 1992, we
were invited to actually participate in one trial. In this test,
a subject was located in a dark, soundproof, electrically-shielded
chamber; his electroencephalogram (EEG) was monitored, and changes
in alpha rhythm as the result of remote attention were recorded.
The dependent variable was the relative alpha power change during
effort compared to control periods. The data suggest that an
operator seems to be able to affect alpha power of the sensory-
isolated subjects. As in the-above experiments on the remote
effect of electrophysiological responses of plants, preliminary
results of this study are published in this volume (Dolin, Dymov,
and Khatchenkov, 1993), and the experiments are currently in
progress. According to Dolin, the main condition for success of
these tests, similar to most of the above-discussed bio-PK tests,
is proper training and skill of the operators.
3.10. "Distant Influence" on Humans with Monitoring of
Reaction Time
Dr. Natalia N. Lebedeva, a biologist from the Research
Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the
Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, showed us preliminary
results of a pilot bio-PK study. A subject in a shielded chamber
was given a standard task to respond to a visual stimulus (a dot
appearing on a computer screen at random time intervals) by
pressing a button, and the subject's reaction time was measured.
At certain time intervals, an operator located outside the shielded
chamber was asked to affect the subject's right hand to slow down
his/her performance with this hand and thereby increase his/her
reaction time. This study is still in progress, and evaluation of
the data has not yet been completed. According to Lebedeva, pre-
liminary analysis of the data shows a statistically significant
increase in the subject's reaction time during the operator's
effect (when the subject perfomed the task with the right hand
affected by the operator) in the majority of cases (70-80%) of the
tests. In some cases the significant increase in reaction time for
the. right (affected) hand included the period of time after the
operator's effect as well. Sometimes, an increase in the reaction
time was seen for both hands of the subject during the operator's
effect. Thus, a certain degree of variability of the data probably
requires the use of different methods for statistical processing
and/or changes in the experimental protocol, with the purpose being
the establishment of all the variables and factors which may affect
the results, e.g., physiological, methodological, operator/ receiver
compatibility or mental images created by the operator. In dis-
cussions with Dr. Lebedeva in our laboratory, we identified some
methodological improvements for a formal replication.
13
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3.11. Additional Summary of AMP Experiments
In our interaction with researchers in Russia, we learned of
a number of other experimental studies. Some of them were very
intriguing and were conducted under the auspices of prestigious
research institutions.. At the same time, some of the studies
apparently have methodological problems. For many of them, we do
not have sufficient information to provide a detailed evaluation.
Therefore, instead of discussing each of these, studies separately,
-we summarized them in Table 2. Although the emphasis is on bio-PK
experiments, one PK attempt to affect inanimate systems is included
as well.
Summary of Some AMP Studies in the Former Soviet Union
Principal
author and
reference
Location Experiment Experiment Comments
type task
------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Krendeleva Moscow State PK on change pH
(Pogosyan, University, physical of water
et al., Biology systems
1993) Department
Krendeleva same bio-PK change
(Nikolayev, NMR para-
et al., meters
1993) of plant
seeds
Dolin
(Sidyakin,
et al.,
1992)
Dolin
(Tkachuk,
et al.,
1992)
Kaznacheyev,
Mikhailova
(Mikhailova
Merenkova,
& Feldman,
1991)
International bio-PK change
Academy of plus EMF animal
Human Poten- behavior
tial in Moscow
and Simferopol
State University
International bio-PK change
Academy of enzyme
Human Potential activity
and a group in in plants
Kiev, Ukraine
Institute of bio-PK increase
Clinical and growth
Experimental of a
Medicine, tissue
Novosibirsk culture
pH appears to de-
crease with opera-
tor's effect; needs
more controls.
positive results
are reported; in-
sufficient data
for assessment.
significant results
are reported; EMF
modifies effect;
insufficient data.
positive results
are reported;
insufficient data.
20% to 30% increase
in cell mitoses i
reported; details
of the tests are
not described.
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Principal Location Experiment Experiment Comments
author and type task
reference
---------------------------------- -------------------------------
Mikhailova Institute of bio-PK affect positive results
(Kazna- Clinical.and RNA are reported;
cheyev, Experimental synthesis insufficient data
Mikhailova, Medicine, in tissue for assessment.
& Vladimir- Novosibirsk cultures
sky, 1990)
4. Conclusions
In concluding this review of some aspects of parapsychology in
the former Soviet Union, we would like to point out that in Russia,
as elsewhere, there is a wide range of research skills. We found
the researchers to be enthusiastic and, in some cases, the experi-
mental work 'suffers. At times, some experimenters are not as self-
critical as good science might dictate. Writing styles and report-
ing standards often make formal analysis difficult. Additionally,
the "culture" is strongly biased toward an influence (PK) model.
Alternative theoretical views, similar to the Intuitive Data Sort-
ing (IDS) informational model (May, et al., 1986), are not only
non-existent, but in discussions are often rejected outright,
without being examined..
Nevertheless, one conclusion can be made with a high degree of
certainty: for a number of years, researchers in the former Soviet
Union have been engaged in a broad range of studies of anomalous
mental phenomena, primarily in the PK and bio-PK areas. Such
prestigious institutions as Moscow State University and the
research institutes of the Academy of Sciences have been involved
in AMP studies that are supported by both government and private
funding. We believe a more comprehensive review and meta-analysis
of AMP studies in Russia should be conducted. We also hope that
our cooperation with our Russian colleagues will continue and will
provide all of us with deeper understanding and insights into
manifestations of anomalous mental phenomena.
Acknowledgements
We thank Dr. Marilyn J. Schlitz, Mrs. Charlotte Berney, and
Mr. Douglas MacGowan for their comments and editorial assistance.
Bobrov, A. V., Kolesnikova, T. V., & Shraivman, F. 0. (1986).
[Remote influence of man on an electrode system]. Biofizika, 31(2),
365 (in Russian; English translation in: Biophysics, 31(2), 406).
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Dolin, Yu. S., Davydov, V. A., Lemeshko, B. D., Mirotin, I. V.,
Morozova, E. V., & Shumov, D. Ye. (1993, April). [Recording of
human distant influence on plants]. In Sverkhslabyye vzaimo-
deistviia v tekhnike, prirode i obshchestve [Ultraweak interactions
in technology, nature, and society], Abstracts of papers (pp. 19-
20). Moscow: A.S. Popov Scientific and Technological Society of
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Mirotin, I. V., & Shumov,' D. Ye. (1992, October). Recording of
human distant influence on a plant by electrophysiological
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i nauka [Science and Soul], Yalta, Crimea (p. 21). Simferopol.
Dolin, Yu. S., Davydov, V. A., Morozova, E. V., & Shumov, D. Ye.
(1993, August). Studies of a remote mental effect on plants with
electrophysiological recording. Proceedings of the 36th Annual
Convention of the Parapsychologycal Association, Toronto, Canada,
pp. ?-
Dolin, Y. S., Dymov, V. I., & Khatchenkov, N. N. (1993, August).
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psychophysiological state of another individual with EEG recording.
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Association, Toronto, Canada, pp. ?.
Gurtovoy, G. K., Dubitsky, Ye. A., & Parkhomov, A. G. (1993). [A
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a person's remote influence on physical and biological systems].
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