The History of Psychic Ability Experiments
Ppsychic ability experimentation is relatively new. Parapsychology historians Alvarado, Biondi and Kramer state scientists did not observe psychic abilities until the latter portion of the 1800s. Later, scientists developed experiments to test for abilities, and if people could develop the abilities by choice. The experiments now span myriad areas of scientific inquiry.
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Late 19th century
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In the 1800s, researchers observed seances for proof of psychic phenomena. Scientists began serious psychical research in the late 19th century, which consisted mostly of observing mediums. However, according to Alvarado, Biondi and Kramer, no one ensured steadied variables or coordinated control groups to test supposed hypotheses.
Despite inconsistencies, legitimate journals and societies developed during this time, each seeking to assert a direction of inquiriy into a dubious branch of mysticism and science. Alvarado, Biondi and Kramer note the early efforts of London-based Society of Psychical Research, or SPR, was largely responsible for breaking the field into manageable parts, including experiments, not just theories, seance observations, methodology or reviews. This helped prepare the field for the next century.
Early 20th century
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A 1930s psychic test required subjects to predict the rolls of dice. During the early 20th century, researchers of psychic phenomena sought a systematic way to discern psychic abilities. Experts at Duke University formulated studies to discern quacks from those with actual abilities by controlling every possible variable.
Experiments using Zener cards, similar to playing cards but utilizing symbols rather than royal figures and numbers, and mechanically-tossed dice determined subjects' psychic abilities or lack of such, as noted by CWW investigators for Psychical Research.
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Mid-to-late 20th century
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One remote viewer described an unanticipated ring around Jupiter, according to Puthoff. During the middle to late 20th century, the United States and the USSR developed programs to test psychic abilities, which included remote viewing of subjects describing an unknown entity or location. Subjects described the unknown contents of a box. Eight months of favorable results later, and "an experimental effort was begun in earnest," said scientist H.E. Puthoff. Experiments then focused on descriptions of coordinates and planets, and in developing remote viewing into a trainable skill.
Present day
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Scientists struggle to solidify the field of psychic phenomena. Modern scientific experiments in psychical research aim to standardize the field. For example, in the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR), scientists have fine-tuned these experiments with computers and newly developed algorithms and methodology, according to researchers Dunne and Jahn. Tighter protocol concerning control methods, combined with widening allowances for test subject ability, provide new consciousness-related anomaly data.
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References
- Carlos S. Alvarado, Massimo Biondi and Wim Kramer. Historical Notes on Psychic Phenomena in Specialized Journals. European Journal of Parapsychology. Vol. 21.1, pages 58--87
- AutoCWW. University of Colorado, Boulder.
- H.E. Puthoff. CIA-Initiated Remote Viewing Program at Stanford Research Institute. Journal of Scientific Exploration. Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 63-76, 1996.
- B. Dunne and R. Jahn. Information and Uncertainty in Remote Perception Research. Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 207--241, 2003
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