Exploring possible sender-to-experimenter acoustic leakage in the PRL autoganzfeld experiments

Author(s): Smith, M., Kornbrot, D.

Journal/Book: J Parapsychol. 1996; 60: PO Box 6847, College Station, Durham, NC 27708. Parapsychology Press. 97-128.

Abstract: Bem and Honorton (1994) have recently presented data that appear to support the existence of extrasensory perception (ESP). A major part of their argument rests on a set of parapsychological experiments known as the ''autoganzfeld'' studies. In these studies one participant (a sender) attempted to psychically communicate the contents of a film clip (the target) to a second participant (the receiver). We first describe the autoganzfeld experiments and then outline a normal (i.e., nonpsi) mechanism that could potentially account for their results. We note that it was vital that the experimenter be acoustically isolated from the sender, but that this may not have been the case. ih careful and detailed reconstruction of the autoganzfeld procedure revealed that (1) although senders were instructed to remain silent, there is no guarantee that they followed this instruction; and (2) the measures taken to acoustically isolate the sender may not have prevented subliminal sounds from reaching the experimenter. We then discuss the plausibility of this potential artifact and some of the evidence relating to whether it actually occurred. Finally, we outline the need for improvements in the way in which future work of this type is designed and reported.

Note: Article R Wiseman, Univ Hertfordshire, Dept Psychol, Coll Lane, Hatfield AL10 9AB, Herts, England

Keyword(s): GANZFELD; ARTIFACT

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