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Books & Overviews

A curated collection of research papers focusing on books & overviews. Explore the methodology, key findings, and ongoing debates in this field.

Total Papers 20

Year Range 1934 – 2025

Top Contributors

Cardeña, EtzelKennedy, J.EWahbeh, Helané

Recent Publications

Editorial: Emerging Research: Self-Ascribed Parapsychological Abilities

Simione, Luca; Pagani, Camilla; Denovan, Andrew; Dagnall, Neil • 2025 • Frontiers in Psychology

This editorial introduces a Research Topic on self-ascribed parapsychological abilities, marking a shift from proving/disproving psi to understanding psychological underpinnings. Synthesizes findings from multiple contributions: Dagnall et al. found paranormal beliefs serve adaptive coping functions while conspiracy theories link to avoidant coping; Simmonds-Moore et al. identified overlap between psychometry and synesthesia/ASMR; Michael et al. showed DMT experiences and NDEs share phenomenological similarities (entity encounters, ego dissolution); Toriz et al. observed beta/gamma oscillations in shamanic trance; Chaudhary et al. reviewed fMRI studies showing meditation activates alertness networks. Concludes self-ascribed abilities link to cognitive-perceptual traits, heightened sensitivity, and altered states.

#self_ascribed_abilities #paranormal_belief #personality #altered_states #cognitive_perceptual

When the Truth Is Out There: Counseling People Who Report Anomalous Experiences

Rabeyron, Thomas • 2022 • Frontiers in Psychology

This paper presents a clinical approach to counseling individuals who report distressing subjective paranormal experiences, termed anomalous or exceptional experiences. Approximately one-third to one-half of the population reports such experiences, with nearly half experiencing difficulty integrating them. The author describes the main components of a Psychodynamic Psychotherapy focused on Anomalous Experiences (PPAE) based on clinical work at CIRCEE, which has conducted over 750 counseling sessions since 2009. The approach involves three steps: phenomenological exploration using micro-analysis techniques, subjective inscription (emotional containment, de-pathologization, and detachment), and subjective integration of meaning. The clinical attitude of undecidability and non-judgmental listening facilitates transformation of ontological shock into psychological integration.

#clinical_parapsychology #psychotherapy #anomalous_experiences #psychodynamic_therapy #ontological_shock

What if consciousness is not an emergent property of the brain? Observational and empirical challenges to materialistic models

Wahbeh, Helané; Radin, Dean; Cannard, Cedric; Delorme, Arnaud • 2022 • Frontiers in Psychology

This review examines phenomena that contradict the notion that consciousness is exclusively dependent on brain activity. Six categories are reviewed: (1) remote viewing meta-analyses show significant evidence for perceiving distant locations; (2) ganzfeld telepathy studies (120+ experiments, ~4,000 trials) show 31% hit rate vs 25% chance; (3) presentiment meta-analyses demonstrate physiological responses 1-10s before future stimuli (Mossbridge et al. 2012: d=0.21, p<2.71×10⁻¹²); (4) xenoglossy and acquired savant syndrome cases; (5) non-local experiences reported by 10-97% across populations; (6) terminal lucidity in dementia patients with 80%+ complete remission before death. Non-local consciousness theories (operational probabilistic theory, interface theory, analytic idealism, Orch-OR) are compared to physicalist models (GWT, HOT, IIT, predictive processing). The authors propose consciousness may be fundamental rather than emergent, with non-local properties transcending spacetime constraints.

#consciousness_theory #non_local_consciousness #materialism_critique #paradigm_debate #theoretical_review

Is the Sun Conscious?

Sheldrake, Rupert • 2021 • Journal of Consciousness Studies

Applying panpsychist philosophy and electromagnetic field theories of consciousness to the sun, this article argues that self-organizing systems at all levels of complexity — including stars — might possess awareness. The sun's electromagnetic complexity, with millions of granulations, sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections, creates an integrated field spanning the heliosphere. Under IIT, the sun plausibly has high Φ, though computation is intractable. EM field theories (McFadden's CEMI, Pockett, Murphy) suggest the sun's integrative fields could be conscious. Solar cognition would be slow: ~4.6 s across the sun's diameter, ~16.7 hours to sense the heliopause.

#panpsychism #electromagnetic_field_theories #integrated_information_theory #solar_consciousness #holistic_philosophy

Inner Experience – Direct Access to Reality: A Complementarist Ontology and Dual Aspect Monism Support a Broader Epistemology

Walach, Harald • 2020 • Frontiers in Psychology

This theoretical paper argues for a complementarist dual-aspect monism ontology where consciousness and matter are coprimary aspects of an underlying reality, not reducible to either. Walach traces how 'experience' historically narrowed from Roger Bacon's bimodal conception (inner spiritual and outer sense experience) to modern empiricism's exclusive outer focus. The materialist ontology cannot explain consciousness itself or anomalous cognition (telepathy, precognition, psychokinesis), which have robust meta-analytic support but defy locality assumptions. A complementarist model (inspired by Bohr, Pauli-Jung unus mundus) permits epistemological access through both outer sense experience and inner contemplative experience. The paper proposes 'contemplative science' where scientists trained in contemplative practices systematically explore inner experience as complementary to third-person neuroscience, potentially accessing deep reality structures including mathematical intuition and ethical values.

#consciousness #materialism #contemplative_science #dual_aspect_monism #complementarity

The Experimental Evidence for Parapsychological Phenomena: A Review

Cardeña, Etzel • 2018 • American Psychologist

Comprehensive integration of current experimental evidence and theories about parapsychological phenomena, published in the APA's flagship journal. Reviews recent/updated meta-analyses across 10+ psi paradigms including ganzfeld (108 studies, z = 8.31, hit rate 31% vs 25% MCE), Bem-type precognition (90 experiments from 33 labs, ES = 0.09), presentiment (26 studies, ES = 0.21), remote viewing, dream ESP, DMILS, noncontact healing, dice PK, and micro-PK. Synthesizes theoretical frameworks from quantum physics (nonlocality, retrocausality) and psychology (PMIR, first-sight theory). Concludes that cumulative evidence supports the reality of psi, with effect sizes comparable to established psychological phenomena, and cannot be explained by study quality, fraud, or selective reporting.

#narrative_review #meta_analysis_survey #anomalous_cognition #anomalous_perturbation #replication_debate

Entertaining Without Endorsing: The Case for the Scientific Investigation of Anomalous Cognition

Schooler, Jonathan W; Baumgart, Stephen; Franklin, Michael • 2018 • Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice

Drawing on Bayes's theorem, argues that scientists' vastly different prior probabilities regarding anomalous cognition — from physicist Sean Carroll's 'less than a billion to one against' to Nobel laureate Brian Josephson's endorsement — produce legitimately polarized evidence appraisals. Reviews meta-analyses across precognition (z=6.02; z=6.4 across 90 Bem-paradigm studies), ganzfeld telepathy (z=5.48), psychokinesis (z=15.76), and clairvoyance (z=3.07), noting small but statistically significant effects in most cases. Proposes the 'entertain without endorse' framework with nine strict criteria for endorsing anomalous cognition, including pre-registration, adversarial collaboration, locked protocols, off-site data logging, and independent multi-lab replication.

#anomalous_cognition #bayesian_reasoning #entertain_endorse_framework #replication_crisis #meta_analysis_review

Exceptional Experiences Reported by Scientists and Engineers

Wahbeh, Helané; Radin, Dean; Mossbridge, Julia; Vieten, Cassandra; Delorme, Arnaud • 2018 • Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing

Surveyed 899 US adults across three groups — 283 general population, 175 scientists/engineers, and 441 noetic-science enthusiasts — on 25 exceptional human experience (EHE) types, paranormal belief, mental health, and personality. Scientists endorsed at least one EHE at nearly the same rate as the general population (93.2% vs 94.0%); enthusiasts were higher (99.3%). Paranormal belief correlated strongly with EHE endorsement (r=0.61, p<0.0005). GLM analysis explained 55.7% of EHE score variance; significant predictors included paranormal belief, dissociation, openness, lower neuroticism, family history, and younger age of onset. Psychotic and dissociative symptoms did not reach pathological levels in any group.

#exceptional_human_experiences #prevalence_survey #scientists_engineers #paranormal_belief #openness_personality

Appreciating Statistics

Utts, Jessica • 2016 • Journal of the American Statistical Association

Presidential address exploring the rapid growth of statistics as a profession (AP exam: 7,667 to 207,876 test-takers, 1997–2016; 34% projected job growth) alongside the challenge of making statistical thinking accessible. Using Kahneman's System 1/System 2 framework, argues that intuitive cognition creates systematic barriers to statistical reasoning 89% of research psychologists overestimate small-sample power; 95% underestimate needed sample sizes. From experience with the CIA's 20-year remote viewing program, notes psi data are "quite strong statistically" yet rejected without examination. Proposes "data plus stories" over "data beat anecdotes" as a communication framework.

#statistical_communication #asa_presidential_address #cognitive_biases #statistical_literacy #remote_viewing_stargate

Can Panpsychism Become an Observational Science?

Matloff, Gregory L • 2016 • Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research

Investigates whether panpsychism can be tested through astronomical observation. Proposes a 'toy model' where a universal proto-consciousness field interacts with molecular matter via the Casimir Effect. Reviews Parenago's Discontinuity: cooler, molecule-bearing stars (cooler than ~F8, B-V > 0.5) orbit the galactic center faster than hotter stars, using Hipparcos data for >6,000 main sequence stars within ~260 light years and giant stars beyond 1,000 light years. Argues conventional explanations (nebular ejection, spiral arm density waves) are inadequate, and proposes the ESA Gaia mission could test whether the discontinuity is galaxy-wide.

#panpsychism #stellar_consciousness #casimir_effect #parenago_discontinuity #vacuum_fluctuations

Explicit Anomalous Cognition: A Review of the Best Evidence in Ganzfeld, Forced-choice, Remote Viewing and Dream Studies

Baptista, Johann; Derakhshani, Max; Tressoldi, Patrizio • 2015 • Parapsychology: A Handbook for the 21st Century (E. Cardeña, J. Palmer, & D. Marcusson-Clavertz, Eds.), McFarland

Comprehensive review of laboratory ESP evidence across four major paradigms: ganzfeld, forced-choice, remote viewing, and dream ESP. Synthesizes data from all existing meta-analyses through 2014, conducts new moderator variable and heterogeneity analyses, and identifies participant selection as a powerful moderator across paradigms. Selected participants consistently produce larger effect sizes — 40.1% ganzfeld hit rate (vs. 27.3% unselected), 87.5% forced-choice significance rate in optimal conditions, and experienced RV viewers achieving ES = 0.385 requiring only 33 trials for 80% power. Concludes with methodological prescriptions including pre-registration, power analysis, random-effects meta-analytic methods, and I² heterogeneity statistics.

#ganzfeld_autoganzfeld #forced_choice_esp #remote_viewing #dream_esp #participant_selection

A Call for an Open, Informed Study of All Aspects of Consciousness

Cardeña, Etzel • 2014 • Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Collective opinion statement in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, co-signed by approximately 100 academics including Nobel laureate Brian Josephson, Jessica Utts, Daryl Bem, Robert Rosenthal, and Phil Zimbardo. Six evidence-based arguments are presented: psi research occurs at accredited universities worldwide with ~80 UK PhDs awarded; increased experimental controls have not diminished the evidence as shown by multiple meta-analyses; publication bias cannot explain the results; effect sizes are comparable to mainstream psychology and medicine; modern physics does not preclude psi. Challenges the misapplication of 'extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.'

#open_letter #scientific_method #institutional_legitimacy #opinion_statement #meta_analysis_citations

A Call for an Open, Informed Study of All Aspects of Consciousness

Cardeña, Etzel • 2014 • Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

A collective opinion statement signed by approximately 100 academics — including Nobel laureate Brian Josephson and researchers from psychology, physics, and neuroscience — arguing that parapsychological research deserves open, unprejudiced scientific investigation. Six evidence-based points are presented: psi research occurs in accredited universities worldwide; supportive findings appear in peer-reviewed journals; increased controls have not diminished the evidence; publication bias cannot explain the results; effect sizes are comparable to those in psychology and medicine; modern physics does not preclude psi. Challenges the misuse of 'extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence' and calls for non-dogmatic evaluation of the evidence on its own merits.

#open_science #scientific_method #consciousness_studies #opinion_statement #institutional_legitimacy

Conclusions about Paranormal Phenomena

Kennedy, J.E • 2013

Seven concise conclusions about paranormal phenomena drawn from over four decades of research by J.E. Kennedy. Key claims: (1) genuine psi does occur, based largely on personal experience; (2) most parapsychological experiments are dominated by methodological noise, experimenter misconduct, and wishful thinking; (3) over 80% of reported spontaneous experiences are not genuinely paranormal; (4) actual psi is associated with certain individuals; (5) reliable material applications appear prevented by a limiting principle; (6) the primary purpose of psi may be providing meaning in life and personal guidance; (7) extreme attitudes toward psi reflect deep personality-level values resistant to change.

#elusiveness_of_psi #experimenter_effects #spontaneous_experiences #meaning_in_life #methodology_critique

Information in Life, Consciousness, Quantum Physics, and Paranormal Phenomena

Kennedy, J.E • 2011 • Journal of Parapsychology

Information consists of symbols, media for storing and transmitting the symbols, and an interpretational infrastructure that establishes meaning. Information processing in living systems includes genetics, perception, behavior, memory, learning, communication, imagination, creativity, and culture. This article summarizes and clarifies concepts pertaining to information as they emerge in scientific research on life, consciousness, quantum physics, and paranormal phenomena. After extensive research, the hypothesis that an observer can sometimes paranormally influence the outcome of quantum events lacks convincing empirical support. Current experimental results in parapsychology do not have properties of a signal in noise and cannot be convincingly distinguished from methodological bias. The findings may be most consistent with a model where paranormal phenomena result from supernatural information processing agencies with relatively independent motivations that manifest as spirituality and influence the meaning and direction of an individual's life.

#information_theory #quantum_physics #consciousness #methodology #theoretical_framework

Spirituality and the Capricious, Evasive Nature of Psi

Kennedy, J.E • 2006 • Journal of Parapsychology

Book review of 'Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century' by Kelly et al. (2007), an 800-page work attempting to understand consciousness and psi through F.W.H. Myers's concept of the subliminal mind. Kennedy endorses the book's approach of moving beyond narrow laboratory controversies toward a broader theoretical framework. The review examines the book's coverage of near-death experiences, mystical experiences, genius, automatism, and psychosomatic phenomena as evidence against materialistic models of consciousness. Kennedy identifies two areas needing further development: the role of biological evolution in consciousness/psi, and the implications of psi's capricious, evasive nature for understanding spiritual realms. The capricious nature of psi may reflect motivations fundamentally different from materialistic evolutionary drives, offering insight into profound aspects of consciousness.

#book_review #irreducible_mind #subliminal_mind #consciousness_theory #myers_fw_h

The PEAR Proposition

Jahn, Robert G; Dunne, Brenda J • 2005 • Journal of Scientific Exploration

Retrospective review of the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) laboratory program spanning 26 years (1979-2005). Reports results from three research strands: REG human/machine experiments with 91 operators over ~2.5 million trials showing small but statistically significant mean shifts (p ~ 7x10-5 composite); 653 remote perception trials yielding Z > 5.4 (p ~ 3x10-8) with no distance or time attenuation; and FieldREG deployments showing anomalous outputs correlated with group emotional resonance (chi-squared p = 3.2x10-10). Identifies key correlates including operator gender, bonded co-operator pairs, and decline/oscillation effects, and proposes three theoretical models: quantum mechanics of consciousness, the M5 modular model, and consciousness filters.

#pear_laboratory #reg_experiments #remote_perception #mind_matter_interaction #gender_effects

A Compendium of the Evidence for Psi

Parker, Adrian; Brusewitz, Göran • 2003 • European Journal of Parapsychology

Annotated compendium of experimental psi evidence across all major paradigms (EJP vol. 18, pp. 33-51). Covers classical ESP (Brugmans, Rhine/Duke), high-scoring subjects (Bessent, Harribance, McMoneagle, Stepanek, Delmore), and meta-analyses: forced-choice precognition (Honorton & Ferrari 1989, astronomically significant, large effect for selected participants), PK/RNG (597 studies, p = 10⁻¹², 51% vs 50% hit rate), dice PK (π = .5016, p = .02), free-response ESP (d = .16), DMILS (d = 0.11), remote staring (d = 0.13), dream-ESP (Maimonides d = 0.33, replications d = 0.14), ganzfeld, remote viewing, extraversion (d = 0.20), sheep-goat effect, and experimenter effects. Concludes effects are not marginal and justify major research investment; calls for theory-driven process research.

#narrative_review #meta_analysis_review #ganzfeld_autoganzfeld #pk_rng #dream_esp

The Anomaly Called Psi: Recent Research and Criticism

Rao, K. Ramakrishna; Palmer, John • 1987 • Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Comprehensive Behavioral and Brain Sciences target article surveying 100+ years of experimental psi evidence, accompanied by a skeptical critique from Alcock and 35 open peer commentaries. Reviews Schmidt's REG experiments in depth (combined p < 10⁻¹⁰), ganzfeld-ESP studies (45% replication rate, cumulative Z = 6.60), and differential-effect research (26% replication rate). Proposes the 'noise reduction model' — that ESP behaves like a weak signal facilitated by reduced sensorimotor input — as a unifying framework across ganzfeld, hypnosis, meditation, and dream paradigms. Concludes there is a strong prima facie case for statistical repeatability of psi anomalies under certain conditions.

#bbs_target_article #noise_reduction_model #replication_debate #ganzfeld_autoganzfeld #reg_experiments

Extra-Sensory Perception

Rhine, J. B • 1934

The foundational monograph that launched modern experimental parapsychology. Rhine describes systematic card-guessing experiments at Duke University (1930-1933) using Zener cards (five symbols) and playing cards, reporting statistically significant evidence for extra-sensory perception across 64,000+ trials. Major subjects include A.J. Linzmayer, Charles E. Stuart, and Hubert E. Pearce Jr., with X values (critical ratios) reaching 75.3. Introduces the term 'ESP' and establishes the experimental paradigm with telepathy and clairvoyance conditions. Published by Boston Society for Psychic Research with foreword by William McDougall.

#esp #card_guessing #zener_cards #clairvoyance #telepathy

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