Week 6: Consciousness and ESP

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Questions and Answers

What is Psi

  • A combination of extraordinary perception and impact (correct)
  • The ability to have an extraordinary impact on others.
  • An ability to sense things above what is normally perceivable.
  • An unidentified psychological ability to have an extraordinary perception. (correct)

What does the term ESP stand for?

Extrasensory Perception

What is clairvoyance?

  • The ability to sense thoughts or feelings of another person in a direct way.
  • The ability to receive information about a person or situation that is hidden from them. (correct)
  • The ability to move objects with the mind
  • The ability to perceive events or places before they happen.

What is telepathy?

<p>The ability to sense thoughts or feelings of another person in a direct way. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is precognition?

<p>The ability to perceive events or places before they happen. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A survey of 1,000 Americans found that 50% believe in ESP.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A survey of 6,000 British individuals found that 59% believe in ESP, with higher percentages among women compared to men.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Belief in ESP has increased in recent years.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the "Sheep-goat effect"?

<p>People who believe in ESP tend to perform better on ESP tasks. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is "Psi missing"?

<p>Significant underperformance on ESP tasks, making results worse than random chance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to meta-analyses of parapsychology studies, what is the overall effect size for ESP?

<p>5-10% above chance level. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The "file drawer problem" refers to the tendency for studies that show positive results for ESP to be more likely to be published.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

James Randi offered a $1 million prize for anyone who could demonstrate paranormal abilities.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Sensory Noise Hypothesis state?

<p>Psychic abilities are suppressed by background sensory noise. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are techniques to improve the signal-to-noise ratio for psychic abilities?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Ganzfeld experiment is primarily used to study telepathy.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using ESP cards in parapsychological experiments?

<p>To control for the influence of random chance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is included in the "complementary control theory"?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Americans surveyed believe they have communicated via ESP?

<p>25% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which spontaneous phenomena have changed in societal beliefs over time?

<p>Aliens (B), Demons (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one technique mentioned for improving the signal-to-noise ratio in psychic abilities?

<p>Meditation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which hypothesis suggests that Psi effects are suppressed by background sensory noise?

<p>Sensory Noise Hypothesis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method is used in the Ganzfeld experiments to facilitate telepathy?

<p>Sensory deprivation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a survey of British individuals, what percentage believed in ESP?

<p>59% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What psychological ability refers to the perception of events before they occur?

<p>Precognition (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about ESP cards is false?

<p>They are primarily used for measuring IQ. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What individual difference is associated with better performance in psychokinesis experiments?

<p>Extraversion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon does the 'Sheep-goat effect' describe?

<p>Believers show enhanced performance in psi tasks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following biases affects parapsychological studies the most?

<p>Unconscious experimenter effect (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant reason given against the existence of ESP?

<p>Inconsistency in experimental results (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'file drawer problem' illustrate in the context of parapsychology?

<p>Positive findings are often hidden from publication (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion did David Krantz highlight regarding methods used in parapsychological studies?

<p>They are prone to spurious conclusions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one outcome of the CIA Stargate project?

<p>It was stopped due to lack of evidence. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is thought to contribute to the slight effects observed in meta-analyses of parapsychological studies?

<p>Experimenter effects and confirmation bias (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does compensatory control theory suggest as a reason for belief in parapsychological phenomena?

<p>People seek to alleviate feelings of powerlessness. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive bias underlies many beliefs in paranormal and religious phenomena?

<p>Intuitive dualism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the nature-nurture debate, what can be attributed to intuitive dualist reasoning?

<p>Prevalence of religious and paranormal beliefs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does meaning-making play in belief in parapsychological phenomena?

<p>It helps individuals find a sense of direction in uncertain situations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects intuitive dualism?

<p>It reflects a clear demarcation between mind and body. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a unique aspect of the large-scale cross-cultural study mentioned?

<p>It involved 24 countries with diverse religions and cultures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between psychological studies and reported findings?

<p>Some findings may arise from biased and explorative statistical tests. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a factor that contributes to belief in alternative medicine?

<p>The cultural perception of intuitive dualism. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Extrasensory Perception (ESP)

The ability to gain information by means other than the five classical senses.

Clairvoyance

Acquiring information that's hidden and contemporary to the clairvoyant.

Telepathy

Transferring thoughts or feelings between individuals without using the five standard senses.

Precognition

Perceiving future events or places before they occur.

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ESP Belief - Americans

50% of surveyed Americans believe in ESP.

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ESP Belief - British

59% of surveyed British individuals believe in ESP; higher among women.

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Sensory Noise Hypothesis

The idea that background sensory noise interferes with psi effects.

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Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs)

States of mind different from regular wakefulness, like meditation or psychedelic use.

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Ganzfeld stimulation

A technique to reduce sensory input in experiments.

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Psychokinesis

The ability to influence physical objects with the mind.

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Experimenter effects

Unconscious biases of the researcher influencing the results.

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Confirmation bias

Seeking or interpreting evidence to confirm prior beliefs.

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Publication bias

Tendency for positive results to be more likely published.

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File-drawer problem

Negative or null results are not published.

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James Randi's million-dollar challenge

A challenge offering a large sum to anyone who demonstrates actual ESP or psychokinesis.

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CIA Stargate project

A now-discontinued US government investigation into paranormal abilities.

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Cognitive biases

Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality.

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Dualism

The belief that mind and body are separate.

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Confirmation bias

Seeking information that confirms existing beliefs.

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Associative biases

Bias in judgment based on association strength.

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Illusory pattern detection

Seeing patterns where none exist.

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Agency detection

Attributing events to intentional agents.

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Theory of mind

Understanding that others have thoughts.

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Ontological confusions

Mixing concepts that should remain separated.

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Fantasy-proneness

Tendency to engage in vivid imagination or fantasy.

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Spontaneous ESP

Experiences of ESP that occur naturally, without intentional effort, such as premonitions or feeling someone's presence.

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Infrasound

Sound waves with frequencies below the human hearing range, potentially creating a sensation of feeling ESP.

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ESP Cards

Special cards used in ESP research, typically with symbols, to test telepathy or clairvoyance.

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Sender and Receiver

Roles in ESP experiments where one person sends information and another receives it.

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Familiarity

A bias in ESP experiments when the sender and receiver are familiar, potentially leading to misinterpreted ESP.

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General Knowledge

A bias in ESP experiments where someone might guess correctly based on general information rather than actual ESP.

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Sheep-Goat Effect

People who believe in paranormal phenomena tend to perform better in ESP experiments than skeptics.

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Psi Missing

A phenomenon observed in ESP experiments where participants perform significantly worse than chance, suggesting an active suppression of psychic abilities.

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Meta-analysis of ESP Studies

Statistical analysis of multiple ESP study results shows a small but consistent effect above chance levels, suggesting some evidence for ESP.

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Compensatory Control Theory

The idea that people who feel a lack of control in their lives are more likely to believe in paranormal phenomena.

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Intuitive Dualism

The instinctual belief that the mind and body are separate entities.

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How does intuitive dualism relate to paranormal beliefs?

Intuitive dualism lays the foundation for believing in paranormal phenomena by suggesting that the mind can exist independently of the physical body, enabling activities like astral travel or communication with spirits.

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Why do people believe in parapsychological phenomena?

People may believe in parapsychological phenomena due to factors like a desire for control, a lack of satisfaction with current medical explanations, a need for meaning in life, and the placebo effect.

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What are some examples of intuitive dualistic thinking?

Examples include religious beliefs, paranormal beliefs, astral travel, belief in alternative medicine, and mind-body interventions, suggesting a common underlying framework for these beliefs.

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How does culture influence belief in paranormal phenomena?

Cultural learning shapes belief in paranormal phenomena, influencing how people interpret and understand their experiences and perceptions.

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What is the significance of the large cross-cultural study?

The study involved 24 diverse countries, highlighting the widespread nature of belief in paranormal phenomena across cultures, further suggesting that it is a universal human tendency.

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What is the relationship between cognitive biases and belief in paranormal phenomena?

Cognitive biases, like dualistic thinking, can contribute to the belief in paranormal phenomena by selectively interpreting information and drawing conclusions based on pre-existing beliefs.

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Study Notes

Lecture Notes Week 6: Consciousness

  • Parapsychological Phenomena (Psi): Unidentified psychological ability.
  • Extraordinary Perception: Includes clairvoyance, telepathy, and precognition.
  • Clairvoyance: Transfer of information that is contemporaneous and hidden from the perceiver.
  • Telepathy: Transfer of thoughts or feelings between individuals via non-physical means.
  • Precognition: Perception of places or events before they occur.
  • Extraordinary Impact: Psychokinesis, the ability to influence physical objects with the mind.
  • Extrasensory Perception (ESP): A survey of 1,000 Americans indicated 50% believe in ESP.
  • Belief in ESP higher among Women: A survey of 6,000 British individuals found 59% believe in ESP.
  • Special Psi Sessions at Scientific Conferences: These sessions are held at major scientific conferences.
  • Spontaneous ESP Phenomena Changes over Time: The explanations for spontaneous ESP phenomena have shifted from demons to witches to aliens.

Sensory Noise Hypothesis

  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Psi effects are suppressed by background sensory noise.
  • Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs): Techniques to improve the signal-to-noise ratio include altered states of consciousness, such as Ganzfeld stimulation, psychedelics, and meditation.
  • Telepathy: Ganzfeld Experiments: Sensory deprivation techniques like ping-pong balls, white noise, and 30-minute sessions, with four response options, are used to study telepathy.

Precognition and the Brain

  • Precognition: A participant presses a button, and a computer randomly displays a photo. The process has a blank screen phase.
  • Brain Activity Measurement: Continuous physiological records (e.g., GSR) are used to measure brain activity during the precognition experiment.
  • Bem's Experiments: These experiments explore the role of the brain in precognition and the idea that the brain may perceive events before they occur.

Psychokinesis

  • Individual Differences: Extraversion and openness to new experiences impact psychokinesis.
  • Sheep-Goat Effect: Believers in psychokinesis tend to exhibit higher success rates.
  • Experimental Findings: "Sheep-goat effect" (believers tend to be better)
  • Experimenter Effects and Bias.
  • Meta-analysis: The meta-analysis of parapsychology studies show an average success rate of approximately 5-10% above chance, although this success may not be consistent.
  • Arguments against ESP: James Randi's $1 million prize has not been claimed.

Why do people believe in Parapsychological Phenomena?

  • Cognitive Biases: This includes dualism, Intuitive vs. Analytical Thinking, Confirmation Bias, Associative biases / Covariation biases, Illusory Pattern detection, Agency detection, Theory of Mind/ Intentionality, Ontological Confusions, Fantasy-proneness
  • Religious beliefs: Belief in paranormal phenomena is correlated with religiosity.
  • Alternative Medicine: Belief in ESP correlates with views alternative medicine.

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