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Lecture 2: A Brief History of Parapsychology. 1. Introduction and basic terminology 2. Evidence from antiquity 3. The rise of spiritualism 4. The Society for Psychical Research 5. 1930-1960s: The Duke University Period 6. Fraud within parapsychology. Precognitive Dreams. Miraculous Healing.
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Lecture 2: A Brief History of Parapsychology • 1. Introduction and basic terminology • 2. Evidence from antiquity • 3. The rise of spiritualism • 4. The Society for Psychical Research • 5. 1930-1960s: The Duke University Period • 6. Fraud within parapsychology
Historical Perspective • Shows that ostensibly paranormal experiences are an important part of human experience • Either paranormal forces exist • Or we learn something useful about human psychology • Makes us question our own assumptions
Basic Terminology • Psychokinesis (PK): "the influence of mind on external objects or processes without the mediation of known physical energies or forces" (Wolman, 1977)
Basic Terminology • Psychokinesis (PK): "the influence of mind on external objects or processes without the mediation of known physical energies or forces" (Wolman, 1977) • Extrasensory Perception (ESP): "knowledge of or a response to an external event or influence not apprehended through known sensory channels" (Wolman, 1977)
ESP includes: • 1) telepathy (transference of thoughts between two people)
ESP includes: • 1) telepathy (transference of thoughts between two people) • 2) clairvoyance (awareness of remote objects or events)
ESP includes: • 1) telepathy (transference of thoughts between two people) • 2) clairvoyance (awareness of remote objects or events) • 3) precognition (knowledge of events before they occur, other than as a result of inference)
Psi “a general term to identify a person's extrasensorimotor communication with the environment” (Wolman, 1977). NB: Strict definition of the paranormal, as used by parapsychologists, limits subject matter to PK, ESP, and (possibly) issues relating to life-after-death.
