PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH, TECHNICAL SERVICES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00787R000700100003-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 23
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 17, 1998
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: December 20, 1974
• Content Type: RP

Proposal. For Research
SRI No. 1SII 74-266
TECHNICAL SERVICES
Part One--Technical Proposal.
Prepared by:
Harold E. Puthoff
Senior Research Engineer
Russell Targ
Senior Research Physicist
Lade D. ,c.-iies, 'U rest
Electronics an Bine.ngLneering Laboratory
Lnnilar (,o< E:':ecut:i.ve Director ---
IilForld;iL ion ScioncC' and E114~1nee iC I)L 'ision
Copy No.
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Proposal for Research
SRI No. ISH 74-266
The purpose of the program is to determine the characteristics of para-
normal functioning by which individuals obtain or. infer information about
their environment, wherein such information is not available by any known
channel.
The program is divided into two categories; basic research and applied
research. The purpose of the basic research effort is to identify the
physiological and psychological characteristics of individuals possessing
paranormal abilities, and to identify neurophysiological correlates and
basic mechanisms involved in such functioning. The purpose of the applied
research effort is to explore experimentally the potential for applications
of paranormal abilities, with special attention given to accuracy and
reliability.
A. Objective
Stanford Research Institute proposes to undertake a one-month research
program to 'investigate the abilities and characteristics of a gifted
individual whose services will be made available by the client. The
program is to consist of a basic research effort and an applied research
effort. The basic research effort will be directed toward the identifica-
tion of measurable characteristics possessdd by the designated individual
and will include a thorough medical, psychological, and neuropsychological
evaluation carried out jointly by the Stanford Hospital and Palo Alto
Medical Clinic. The data will be compared with that obtained under
identical protocol with six other subjects whose paranormal functioning
is being investigated under a parallel effort.
The applied research effort will consist of replication with this individual
of a series of screening tests in paranormal functioning carried out with
previous. subjects. The tests proposed are (a) remote viewing of natural
targets, i.e., attempts at description of geographical sites and pieces
of equipment at locations physically remote from the subject and connected
by no known information channel, (b) reproduction of simple line drawings
hi.ddefl from the subject but viewed by an experimenter, a variant including
reproduction of drawings executed with special. materials of low density,
and (c) determination of the state of a four-state electronic random
stimulus generator (electronic lock analog).
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B. Technical Approach
1? ,Basic Research
(a) Medical Evaluation
The medical evaluation of the designated individual of interest has
been assigned to the Palo Alto Medical Clinic. Coordination of the program
is being handled by Robert Armbruster, M.D., Director of the Clinic's
Department of Environment-al Med ,__
The testing procedures fall into six categories:
(1) General physical examination, including complete medical and
family history;
(2) Laboratory examinations, including SMA-l2 panel blood chem,
protein electrophoresis istries
, blood lipid profile, urinalysis, serology,
blood type and factor, Pulmonary function screening, and 12-lead
electrocardi,ograni;
(3) Neurological examination, including comprehensive and electro-
encephalogram (sleeping and routine);
(4) Audiometric examination, including comprehensive, Bekesy bone
conduction, speech discrimination, and impedance bridge test;
(5) Ophthalmologist examination, including comprehensive, card
testing, peripheral field test, muscle test, dilation funduscope,
and indirect ophthalmoscopic and fundus examination;
(6) EMI brain scan.
(b) Psychological Evaluation
The psychological evaluation of the gifted individual of interest
has also been assigned to the Palo Alto Medical Clinic. Coordination of
the program is being handled by Dr. J.E. Heenan, Chief Clinical Psychologist
of the Department of Psychiatry.
The evaluation consists of:
(1) In-depth interviews, including objective events and subjective
views relating to the discovery and enhancement of paranormal
capacities; socioeconomic, cultural, familial, religious environ-
ment; outstanding peaks, traumas; values, motivation, inter-
personal style;
(2) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (W.A.I.S.)?
(3) Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
(4) Benton Visual Memory Test and lechsler Memory scale;
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(5) Thematic Apperception Test (T.A.T.) and Rorschach projective
(9)
tests;
Bender Gestalt Visual Motor. Test;
Luscher color test;
Strong Vocational Interest Blank;
Edwards Personality Preference Scale (E.P.P.S.).
(c) Neuropsychological Evaluation
In addition to the measurement of the physiological components of
the neurological system covered in the medical evaluation, a neuropsycho-
logical profile is to be obtained by the administration of the Halstead-
Reitan Neuropsychology Test Battery. This phase of the program is being
handled by Dr. Ralph Kiernan of the Department of Neurology, Stanford
Hospital.
The test battery consists of:
(1) Halstead Category Test;
(2) Tactile Performance Test;
(3) Speech Perception Test;
(4) Seashore Rhythm Test;
(5) Trail Making Test;
(6) Knox Cube Test;
(7) Halstead-Wepman Aphasia Screening Test;
(8) Raven Progressive Matrices;
(9) Verbal Concept Attainment Test;
(10) Buschke Memory Test;
(11) Finger-Tapping Test;
(12) Dynamometer Grip Strength;
(13) Groove Pegboard Test.
The results of the medical, psychological, and neuropsychological
evaluations shall be compared and contrasted with those of six other
subjects whose paranormal functioning is being examined.
2. Applied Research
One of the key issues in a program of this nature is the establishment
of criteria capable of differentiating individuals who are apparently
gifted in paranormal functioning from those who are not.
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Three experimental paradigms were chosen to act as screening tests on the
basis that these tests had been useful for such purposes prior to this
program (in the sense that certain apparently gifted individuals did
exceedingly well on at least one of the tests, wh.-roas the results of
unselected volunteers did not differ significant.: from chance expectation).
The tests are (a) remote viewing of natural targt': (b) reproduction of
simple line drawings hidden from the subject but ,.?wed by an experimenter,
and (c) determination of the state of a four-statc electronic random
stimulus generator. The tests are also considered to be useful analogs
of certain operational situations.
The first test constitutes a so-called "free-response" paradigm in which
the subject originates freely about contents of his awareness; furthermore,
the channel in general may involve both direct perception of the remote
site and perception of the mental contents of an observer at the site.
The second test is more constrained than the first in that the target
information is more analytical or abstract, being associated with a graphical
representation of an item of interest rather than the item itself. The
third test is the most constrained in that the target is blind to all
participants in the experiment and the subject's choice is precisely
constrained. The details of these tests are given below.
For the purpose of screening, the criteria as to what constitutes a
paranormal result was chosen arbitrarily, viz:
For the purpose of screening, a result is to be
considered unequivocally paranormal if the a priori
probability for the occurrence of the result by
chance, under the null hypothesis, is < 10-6.
Although 'the above requirement is exceedingly strict by usual psycho-
physiological standards, it is chosen here because (a) the controversial
nature of the subject requires strict handling, and (b) in our work and
elsewhere, a bimodal distribution has been observed empirically in which
a subset of individuals participating in paranormal research produce
results at a level of statistical significance p < 10-6 in comparison
with the bulk of individuals who cluster about the mean as expected.
Therefore, we base our criteria on an observable natural division into
clearly functional and nonfunctional categories.
(a) Remote Viewing of Natural Targets
The first screening test is based on previous SRI research results
which indicate that it is possible for a subject to describe randomly
chosen geographical sites located several miles from the subject's
position and demarcated by some appropriate means. A variant of this
experiment involves using a technological piece of equipment within SRI
asa target.
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This experiment consists of a series of double-blind tests involving
local targets in the San Francisco Bay area which can be documented by
independent judging. Target locations within 30 minutes driving time
from SRI are randomly chosen from a list of targets kept blind to subject
and experimenters and used without replacement.
To begin an experiment, an experimenter is closeted with a subject
at SRI to wait 30 minutes to begin a narrative description of the remote
location. A second experimenter obtains a target location from the target
pool and proceeds directly to the target without communication with the
subject. or experimenter remaining behind. The second experimenter remains
at the target site for an agreed-upon 30-minute period following the 30
minutes allotted for travel. During the observation period, the remote
viewing subject is asked to describe his impressions of the target site
into a tape recorder. A comparison is made when the experimenter returns.
Following a series of experiments, the results are subjected to
independent judging on a blind basis by SRI scientists not otherwise
associated. with the research. The judges are asked to blind match
locations, independently visited, against typed manuscripts of tape-
recorded narratives of the remote viewer. A given narrative can be
assigned to more than one target location. A correct match requires
that a transcript of a given date and time be associated with the target
of that date and time. Probability calculations are on the basis of the
a priori probability of the obtained series of matches by chance,.con-
servatively assuming assignment without replacement on the part of the
judges. As an example, reference 1 contains results obtained with a
gifted subject under this protocol.
(b) Line Drawings
A pool of fifty simple line drawings of everyday objects has been
drawn,. randomized, and placed in a secure location.
During experimentation, experimenters and subject are separated by
having the subject enter a separate room so that from that time forward
the subject is at all times visually and acoustically shielded from
personnel and material at the target location.
Following isolation a target from the pool of fifty is chosen by a
randomization technique. The subject's task is then to reproduce with
pen on paper the line drawing now displayed at the target location.
Following a period of effort not to exceed half an hour, the subject
may either pass (when he does not feel confident) or indicate. he is ready
to submit a drawing to the experimenters, in which case the drawing is
collected by an experimenter before the subject is permitted to see the
target. The experiment is then repeated with replacement until ten
drawings have been obtained from the subject.
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To obtain an independent evaluation of the correlation between target
and response data, the experimenters submit the data for judging on a blind
basis by two SRI. scientists not otherwise associated with the research.
The judges are asked to match the response data with the corresponding
target data (without replacement). Reference 1 includes an example of
results obtained with a gifted subject under this protocol.
(c) Four-State Electronic Random Stimulus Generator
The determination of the state of a four-state electronic random
stimulus generator comprises the third screening test. The target is in
the form of one of four art slides randomly chosen (p = 1/4) by an
electronic random generator. The generator does not indicate its choice
until. the subject indicates his choice to the machine by pressing a
button (see Figure 1). As soon as the subject indicates his choice, the
target slide is illuminated by provide visual and auditory (bell if.correct)
feedback as to the correctness or incorrectness of his choice. Until
that. time both subject and experimenter remain ignorant of the machine's
choice, so the experiment is of the double-blind type. Five legends at
the top of the machine face are illuminated one at a time with increasing
correct choices (6, 8, 10, ...) to provide additional reinforcement.
The machine choice, subject choice, cumulative trial number, and cumulative
hit.number are recorded automatically on a printer. Following trial
number 25, the machine must be reset manually by depressing a RESET button;
A methodological feature of the machine is that the choice of a
target is not forced. That is, a subject may press a PASS button when he
wishes not to guess, in which case the machine indicates what its choice
was, and neither a hit nor a trial is scored by the machine,.which then
goes on to make its next selection. Thus, the subject does not have to
guess at targets when he does not feel that he has an idea as to which to
choose.
Under the null hypothesis of random binomial choices with probability
1/4 and no learning, the probability of observing k successes in n trials
is approximated by the probability of a normal distribution value
>(k - 4 - 2) / /3n/16
For the purpose of screening, in our program each subject. is required
tocomplete 1.00 25-trial runs (i.e., a total of 2,500 trials). As an
example, data from four of six subjects in the parallel effort mentioned
previously are tabulated in Table 1.
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MISSING
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Subject
ii can Score%100 Trials
Over 2,500 Trials
Trinomial Probability
1
25.76
0.22
2
29.36
3 'X 10-7
4
25.76
0.22
6
25.40
0.33
On the basis of this test, Subject 2, whose scores are plotted in
Figure 2, qualifies as a gifted individual, having satisfied the criterion
of producing a result whose a .priori probability under the null hypothesis
is p < 10-6.
C. Statement of Work
l.-SRI personnel shall. undertake a research program of approximately
one-month duration to investigate the abilities and characteristics of the
designated individual to be supplied by the clients.
2. SRI shall arrange for the designated individual to participate in
the medical,.psychological, and neurological evaluation program described.
in B.I. (a), (b), and (c), and shall prepare a summary analysis comparing
and contrasting the results with those obtained with previous subjects who
have undergone identical test procedures.
3. The individual sent to SRI by the clients shall participate in
the screening procedure described in B.2. (a), (b), and (c). In remote
viewing test (a), five Bay Area locations and five SRI technological
equipment areas shall be used as targets. In the line drawing experiment
(b), ten drawing experiments shall be conducted. In four-state electronic
random generator test, 2500 trials are to be completed by the subject.
4. In view of the exploratory nature of this program, 15 percent of
the effort will be set aside to explore, with the clients' cognizance,
avenues of research of interest to the client, e.g., card sorting experi-
ments involving discrimination between blank cards and cards written on
with special materials of low density, etc.
D. Reporting Schedule
A technical report: detailing the tests and their results will be delivered
60 days afLer the commencement date of the contract.
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Throughout the effort the, Investigators plan to remain in close telephone
communication with the client.
1. R. Targ and H. Puthoff, "Information Transmission Under Conditions
of Sensory Shielding," Nature 251, 602 (October 18, 1974).
III QUALIFICATIONS OF STANFORD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Stanford Research Institute is an indepenc'.c;nt, nonprofit organiza-
tion performing a broad spectrum of research undor contract to business,
industry, and government. The Institute, which was formerly affiliated
with Stanford University, was founded in 1946. Its operations include
the physical and life sciences, industrial and development economics,
management systems, engineering systems, electronics and radio sciences,
information science, urban and social systems, and various combinations
of disciplines within these fields.
Stanford Research Institute has no endowment; payments by clients
under research contracts and grants amount to approximately $70 million
annually and are used to cover all operating costs. Such revenue also
helps the Institute maintain the excellence of its research capabilities.
SRI's facilities include more than one million square feet of office
and laboratory space and incorporate the most advanced scientific equip-
ment, including unique instrumentation developed by the staff. The bulk
of these facilities and most of the research staff are located at the
Institute's headquarters in Menlo Park, California.. Regional office
locations include Washington, D.C.; New York City; Chicago; Houston;
and Los Angeles.
Of SRI's total staff of 280(1 approximately one-half are in profes-
sional and technical categories. Some 400 members of the professional
staff have Ph.D. or equivalent degrees; 600 others have their master's
dcgrec.
The project leader and other research personnel who would be active
in the proposed work are meilnbcrs of the Electronics and Bioengineering;
Laboratory. This group curt,ently occupies 40,000 square feet of labora-
tory space, divided into many separate laboratory rooms, technicians'
yy--ork areas, a machine shop, and a computer room housing a LING-8 and
related terminals and equipment. In addition, a well-equipped computa-
tion center is available.
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The Electronics and Bioengineering Laboratory employs a number of
technicians and engineering assistants and has available eleeLronics
material and test equipment useful in the development and testing of
the teaching anchines. Especially suited to the cork described in the
proposal are a number of shielded rooms with various instrumentation
available.
Finally, a backup team of psychologists and statisticians can be
brought into the project on an internal counsulting basis.
The proposed research will be conducted by SRI staff members within
the Electronics and Bioengineering Laboratory under the management of
its director, Mr. Earle Jones. The principal investigator will be Dr.
Harold Puthoff. Mr. Russell Targ, of the Electronics and Bioengineering
Laboratory will be a co-investigator.
In addition to the scientific personnel directly engaged in the
research aspects of this investigation, Stanford Research Institute
has established an internal technical advisory board. This board con-
sists of several directors of SRI's operating divisions, together with
our legal counsel, all under the chairmanship of the senior vice president
for research.. It is the function of this advisory board not only to make
recommendations and approve or disapprove every new direction taken by
the Institute in this research area but to monitor related ongoing projects
as well.
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JO;,_: S, Di-.--CT0:E
7 7n:_.i f?..'O::Y
1.:'0:...,..1.,.1 .._ C A, 47 EdG:....E ....G 1`.'?SiOi
2.c a1 eCl pPOfeSSZOna1 co":~etcnc2
Analysis and design of electronic-optical systems, television, fac-
simile systems including band-.aidth compression techniques, electro-
static printing, bioengineering instrumentation, and ultrasonics
P.eprese?:tative researcz assi nr.:.ents at SRI (si'.ce 1956)
? Director, Electronics and Bioengineering Laboratory; responsible for
four research programs:
? Optics: laser applications in oceanography, spectroscopy, and re-
mote detection
? Ultrasonics: real-time acoustic imaging for medical diagnostics
and nondestructive testing
? Electronics: electrostatic printing, television systems, and fac-
simile
Bioengineering: vision research instrumentation, prosthetic devices,
and diagnostic medical instruments
?
i?ianager,
Satellite
Electronics and Optics Group; project leader, Meteorological
Facsimile System, color television cameras
?
Research
printer;
engineer;
delay line
character
scanning;
generator design; electrostatic label
high density photographic recording of
television signals;
frequency
synthesizers; time domain ecualizer;
color facsimile; bandwidth compression
Academic ba- around
? B.S. in electrical engineering (1956), Georgia Institute of Tecnno logy;
M.S. in electrical engineering (1958), Stanford University; graduate
work (1965-68) including statistics, communication theory, Fourier
optics, and bioengineering
PubZicat ons and patents
? Many papers and reviews in the fields of character generators, cir-
cuitry, color television cameras, bandwidth cornpressi_on, television
recording, and ultrasonic imaging
? Seven issued U.S. patents in character generators, frequency synthe-
sizer, and electrostatics
Pro,;'ess;;onaZ, associations and orors
? rrican Physical Society
? to C:a: na .:u; :i Et_a Sig;,a; . ni ac a ?hi; Tau Beta
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ROLD RED ;. Ct: ~' CI" Er
ELECT C,: ICS B1OL,:GI::E :RIG LA0 Y
I~:FC:,... TI ., SC I:::CE A D E,:GI-IV I"10'1
Spec aZize, professianaZ co potence
? Tunable laser research and development; ouantur: electronics; electron
beam devices; biofeedback and biomeasurement research
Representative research assignments
Develop:.ent of tunable ultraviolet laser source for pollution studies
and medical research
? Development of high-power tunable infrared laser source (50-250 microns)
for materials research
? Assessment of potential of fiber optics and lasers for use in optical
computers
? Development of biofeedback monitors (GSR) for use in educational com-
puters and other man-machine links
Research and development in biofield measurements
Other professional experience
? Research associate, Hansen Laboratories of Physics and lecturer,
Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (1967-71);
teaching, textbook author, and research supervisor of Ph.D. candidates
in the area of lasers and nonlinear optics
Consultant on application of lasers to industrial and medical problems
and research assistant, Stanford University (1963-67)
? Lt., USNP (1960-63); in-house research and contract monitoring on DoD
(NSA) contracts concerned with the development of ultra high-speed
(GHz) computers
-.Research engineer, Sperry Electronic Tube Division and Sperry Fellow,
University of Florida (1958-60); design and testing of electron beam
focusing systems for use in microwave tubes
Academic backaround
? B.E.E. (1958) and M.S.E. (1960), University of Florida; Ph.D. in
electrical engineering (1967), Stanford University
Publications and patents
Coauthor of textbook, Fundai entaZs of Quantum lectronics, . ley ;
2 reference book contributions; 23 papers in professional journals;
14 national symposium papers; numerous technical reports
? 2 Datents
11ro'essional associations and !ZOnors
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; Sigma Tau; Phi
.Kappa Phi; Phi Eta Sig"a; Sigma ;