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Volume 10: Number 1: Article 2
Evaluation of a Program on Anomalous Mental Phenomena
Ray Hyman, 1227 University of Oregon, Department of Psychology, Eugene,
OR 97403
Jessica Utts and I were commissioned to evaluate the research on remote
viewing and related phenomena which was carried out at Stanford Research
Institute (SRI) and Scientific Applications International Corporation
(SAIC) during the years from 1973 through 1994. We focussed on the ten
most recent experiments which were conducted at SAIC from 1992 through
1994. These were not only the most recent but also the most methodologically
sound. We evaluated these experiments in the context of contemporary
parapsychological research. Professor Utts concluded that the SAIC results,
taken in conjunction with other parapsychological research, proved the
existence of ESP, especially precognition. My report argues that Professor
Utts' conclusion is premature, to say the least. The reports of the
SAIC experiments have become accessible for public scrutiny too recently
for adequate evaluation. Moreover, their findings have yet to be independently
replicated. My report also argues that the apparent consistencies between
the SAIC results and those of other parapsychological experiments may
be illusory. Many important inconsistencies are emphasized. Even if
the observed effects can be independently replicated, much more theoretical
and empirical investigation would be needed before one could legitimately
claim the existence of paranormal functioning.
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