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Volume 3: Number 1: Article 4
A Methodology for the Objective Study of Transpersonal Imagery
William Braud and Marilyn Schlitz, Psychology Laboratory, Mind Science
Foundation, 8301 Broadway, Suite 100, San Antonio, Texas 78209
Abundant methodologies already exist for the study of preverbal imagery,
in which one's imagery acts upon one's own cellular, biochemical, and
physiological activity. This paper reports a new methodology for the
objective study of transpersonal imagery, in which one person's imagery
may influence the physical reactions of another person. The method involves
the instructed generation of specific imagery by one person and the
concurrent measurement of psychophysiological changes in another person
who is isolated in a distant room to eliminate all conventional sensorimotor
communication. Thirteen experiments were conducted using this methodology.
A significant relationship was found between the calming or activating
imagery of one person and the electrodermal activity of another person
who was isolated at a distance (overall z = 4.08, p =
.000023, mean effect size 0.29). Potential artifacts which might account
for the results are considered and discounted. The findings demonstrate
reliable and relatively robust anomalous interactions between living
systems at a distance. The effects may be interpreted as instances of
an anomalous "causal" influence by one person directly upon the physiological
activity of another person. An alternative interpretation is one of
an anomalous informational process, combined with unconscious physiological
self-regulation on the part of the influenced person. Additional research
is being conducted in an attempt to increase our understanding of the
processes involved, as well as to learn the various physical, physiological
and psychological factors that may increase or decrease the likelihood
of occurrence of the effect.
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