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Mitchell B. Liester, a psychiatrist in Colorado Springs, Colorado, researched the similarities and differences between pathological and psychic people. One distinction he makes is that people with pathological conditions are subject to a disintegration of their personality, while people with psychic experiences transcend their personality. |
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Many of the same types of experiments used to come up with data for psi as a hard science are also used in psychological research. Two examples are the ganzfeld and remote-viewing experimental techniques described in Chapter 4. Often the physical and social sciences are exploring the same phenomena, just from slightly different angles. |
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In addition to studying the processes involved in extrasensory perception, psychological studies also may be directed at evaluating the tests themselves. Psi researchers tend to be extremely conscientious (perhaps because they often face unfounded accusations of fraud). They constantly double-check their results by repeating the tests, a process referred to as replication. Averaging and analyzing many experiments creates a more accurate view of what the results really mean. And testing the test also allows researchers in the area of psychology to question not only how mental information is learned and transferred, but also how the testers are perceiving that transfer. |
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Confused yet? Well, maybe we can shed some light by using a few examples of some studies going on today. A popular experiment pertains to the feeling of being stared at. A ''starer" and "staree" are separated, while the starer can use a closed circuit video system to see the staree, whose nervous system is being monitored. Researchers have detected an decrease or increase in the staree's nervous system activity, corresponding to when the starer was told to direct calm or aggressive thoughts, respectively, toward the staree. Another twist on this experiment has the starer look at the staree with no intention, which also shows a change in the nervous systembut in a different way. Introverts showed a much higher level of stress when stared at than did extroverts! |
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Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield, England, are looking into the psychology of deception. Using written tests, polygraph machines, and observation, they're exploring how deceit is used in business and criminal fraud, everyday lying, military deception, scientific fraud, conjuring, psychic fraud, and self-deception. By looking at the results, the researchers analyze behavior and also consider how the mind handles information. They also use the results to show psi scientists how to use more accurate psi testing methods, and how to work with people who report psychic experiences. |
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These same researchers are also examining the psychology of luck. The experiments study how people look at and believe in luck, and the role that their beliefs play in a great variety of events and in their self-perception. Such studies raise questions about how our thoughts shape our self-image, as well as if we might be able to use our minds to overcome both random events and matter. Just think: You'd have to be a pretty powerful psychic to have your directed thoughts win out over several million other people who are also fervently wishing and willing to win their state lottery! |
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