Unit 11 Parapsychology

1. Unit 11 Parapsychology

2. Vocabulary focus • words/phrases used to link ideas • (moreover, as a result, etc.) • stress patterns in noun phrases • and compounds • fixed phrases from academic • English • words/phrases related to psychological issues Skills focus Listening • recognizing the speaker’s stance • writing up notes in full Speaking • building an argument in a seminar • agreeing/disagreeing

4. A Look at the diagram on the opposite page. 1 Complete the blank fields in the diagram. 2 Give more examples in each category. 11.1 Vocabulary 1 poltergeist 2 séances 3 near-death experiences 2 1 3 Spiritualism 4 physics/quantum physics 5 biology 4 5 6 double blind testing 7 randomization 8 instrumental measurement Science Parapsychology 9 telekinesis/ psychokinesis(PK) 10 precognition 11 clairvoyance 12 déjà vu 6 8 9 7 10 12 11

5. A Look at the diagram on the opposite page. 3 Discuss which research methods would be suitable for each approach. 11.1 Vocabulary Possible answer: Spiritualism: the methods that have been used to demonstrate the existence of ghosts: filming, photography recording, and eye-witnesses. Teaching tips: Remind students that eyewitness accounts are unreliable for several reasons. You can refer to Unit 7 (Memory). Students may comment on how easy it is to falsify photographic, video and recorded evidence with modern technology and software. You might want to remind students of the power of suggestibility and peer influence (Unit 8).

6. A Look at the diagram on the opposite page. 3 Discuss which research methods would be suitable for each approach. 11.1 Vocabulary Possible answer: Science:biological and neurophysiological research is conducted on the physical and chemical responses of individuals who experience paranormal events. This research is relatively easy to monitor for reliable results through blind and double blind testing, randomization and instrumental measurements. Advances in quantum physics, which question the stability and location of atomic particles, open up the possibility that there are scientific explanations for some paranormal phenomena. Research involves complex equipment and calculation.

7. A Look at the diagram on the opposite page. 3 Discuss which research methods would be suitable for each approach. 11.1 Vocabulary Possible answer: Parapsychology:paranormal events are most reliably tested under laboratory conditions. In uncontrolled situations, it is very difficult to identify the effect of different variables. The same scientific methods of blind, double blind testing, randomization and instrumental measurement are used in experiments in parapsychology.

8. 11.1 Vocabulary B Study the linking words and phrases in box a. 1. Put them into two groups for: a. discussing reasons and results b. building an argument 2. Is each linking word used to join ideas: a. within a sentence? b. between sentences? 3. Can you think of similar linking words?

9. Vocabulary bank Linking words We use linking words and phrases to join ideas together in a sequence, to show how the ideas are related. Some linking words can be used to join independent and dependent clauses in a sentence. Examples: Because paranormal phenomena are notoriously difficult to prove, over the years, investigators in this field have developed meticulous research methods. Or Over the years,investigators in this field have developed meticulous research methods because paranormal phenomena are notoriously difficult to prove.

10. Vocabulary bank Linking words Other linking words join sentences in a text. Example: Research in parapsychology has discovered that hypnosis is a psychological phenomenon. As a result, mainstream psychology has been able to expand its areas of investigation. When building an argument, it is a good idea to use linking words to add points: Examples: Firstly, … In addition, … For example, … Moreover, … Another point is … …whereas… Secondly, … Finally, …

11. 11.1 Vocabulary B Study the linking words and phrases in box a. ‘Between-sentence’ linking words or phrases connect two sentences. ‘Within-sentence’ linking words or phrases join clauses in a sentence. e.g. Science and psychology have benefited from the growth of parapsychology because it has developed very rigorous research methods. e.g. Research in parapsychology has discovered that hypnosis is a psychological phenomenon. As a result, mainstream psychology has been able to expand its areas of investigation. With between-sentence linking words, there is usually a comma before the rest of the sentence.

12. 11.1 Vocabulary B Study the linking words and phrases in box a. Answers: and another thing building an argument between reasons and results between consequently within reasons and results as between building an argument lastly between to begin with/to start with/for one thing building an argument between for instance building an argument

13. 11.1 Vocabulary B Study the linking words and phrases in box a. Answers: building an argument also between building an argument furthermore between one consequence of this is …/ because of this… reasons and results between between building an argument next/ then within as reasons and results therefore/thus/hence reasons and results between

14. 11.1 Vocabulary B Study the linking words and phrases in box a. 4 Put the linking words in question 1b in a suitable order to list points in support of an argument. making the first major support point Firstly, supporting the point with a specific example For example, In addition, adding another related point in support Secondly, making the second major support point Another point is … adding another related point in support Moreover, adding more information to the point above making the last point Finally,

15. CStudy the words in box b. 11.1 Vocabulary 1 Sort the words into two groups according to whether they are concerned with research or with the paranormal, or both. 2 In pairs, explain your decisions. 3 Are the words nouns, verbs or adjectives? What is their stress pattern? 4 What other words or phrases have the same meaning?

16. CStudy the words in box b. 11.1 Vocabulary Answers: ' strange, unusual paranormal adj ' n (U) anonymous, unidentified research ' n (U) awareness, understanding paranormal ' paranormal n (U) mesmerism ' n (C) researcher, experimenter research ' research/ paranormal adj traditional, conventional ' research adj careful, detailed, precise

17. CStudy the words in box b. 11.1 Vocabulary Answers: ' remote, at a distance adj paranormal ' paranormal/ research study of the relationship between the paranormal and the mind n (U) ' paranormal n (U, C) understanding, awareness, view ' events, occurrences, situations paranormal n pl. (C) ' demonstrate, show, establish research v ' n (U) ability to duplicate research

18. D Read the text on the right. 1 Complete each space with a word or phrase from box a or b. Change the form if necessary. 11.1 Vocabulary parapsychology According to Caroline Watt (2005), an eminent specialist, __________________ has made a significant contribution to ______________ science and psychology. These have benefited for two main reasons. Firstly, parapsychology has focused attention on aspects of the mind that have subsequently become the subject of conventional scientific research, such as __________________, _______________ and memory. _____________________ that the boundaries of psychology have been consistently expanded. For example, early experiments into mesmerism, now better known as _____________, were carried out by psychical researchers. Nowadays, hypnosis is a recognized phenomenon. Watt mentions, moreover, that recent parapsychological research into anomalous events like________________ experiences has led to greater understanding of conventional psychology. mainstream perception consciousness Another point is hypnosis out-of-body

19. D Read the text on the right. 1 Complete each space with a word or phrase from box a or b. Change the form if necessary. 11.1 Vocabulary prove Secondly phenomena ______________, since paranormal ______________ are notoriously difficult to ____________, over the years, _________________ have developed meticulous methods of research into mental processes. _______________, mainstream psychology has been able to widen its range of experimental procedures. One example of this is the popularization of _______________ which was used to reduce bias in early experiments on psychic ability. However, issues related to _______________ and methods of data analysis continue to challenge professionals in both parapsychology and mainstream psychology. Source: Watt, C. (2005). Parapsychology’s contribution to psychology: a view from the front line. Journal of Parapsychology, 69, 215-232. investigators As a result blind testing repeatability

20. D Read the text on the right. 2 Can you think of other words or phrases with the same meaning as the underlined words? 11.1 Vocabulary Answers: famous, well known, highly respected strange, unusual, inexplicable resulted in, brought about, generated, produced important, noteworthy frontiers, limits, scope well known to be … , infamously careful, detailed, precise, thorough constantly, regularly, steadily unfairness, partiality, distortion, prejudice acknowledged, accepted concern, worry, present problems to comments, states, observes

21. D Read the text on the right. 3 Find all the words and phrases in the text connected with parapsychology or scientific research. 11.1 Vocabulary Scientific research Parapsychology • bias • experiments • repeatability • data analysis • specialist • significant • mainstream • science • conventional • scientific • research • psychology • researchers • investigators • experimental procedures • blind testing • parapsychology • mind • consciousness • perception • memory • mesmerism • hypnosis • mental • anomalous • out-of-body experiences • phenomenon • psychic

22. D Read the text on the right. 4 Match the phrases below with a later phrase that refers back to them. 11.1 Vocabulary Example: science and psychology --- these these (such as) consciousness, perception and memory hypnosis (like) out-of-body experiences this field

23. Using words with similar meanings torefer back in a text Vocabulary bank It is a good idea to learn several words with similar or related meanings. We often build cohesion in a text by using different words to refer back to something previously mentioned. Examples: conventional scientific research mainstream science and psychology conventional psychology mainstream psychology mental phenomena consciousness, perception and memory aspects of the mind mental processes research methods experimental procedures scientific research experiments

24. E Do the quiz on the opposite page. 11.1 Vocabulary a ESP – extra-sensory perception b PP – parapsychology c REG – random event generator d EE – experimenter effect e RV – remote viewing f OBE – out-of-body experience g PK – parakinesis

25. E Do the quiz on the opposite page. 11.1 Vocabulary a ganzfeld – whole field – an experimental procedure that produces mild sensory deprivation b sixth sense – intuition, an ability to perceive events that are not evident to others c a seance – a meeting that has the aim of contacting the dead, conducted by a person who is sensitive to the presence of spirits

26. E Do the quiz on the opposite page. 11.1 Vocabulary d a medium – a person who is sensitive to the presence of spirits e the supernatural – a dimension that is not subject to the usual laws of nature f Ghostbusters – a comedy film about a company that trapped and removed ghosts from homes and business premises g déjà vu – the sensation that you have already lived a particular experience that is happening in the present

27. A You are going to listen to a lecture by a guest speaker in the Psychology Faculty at Hadford University. Look at the poster on the right. 11.2 Listening 1 What is the lecture going to be about? 2 Decide on how you are going to make notes. Prepare a page in your notebook. Answers: 1 Accept any reasonable suggestions. 2 The lecturer is clearly going to discuss a range of opinions. This suggests that possibly a spidergram might be a suitable form of notes (as in Unit 1), as well as the Cornell system (which is used here) or the more conventional numbered points system.

28. B Listen to Part 1 of the lecture and make notes. 请将本单元的音频和此PPT放在一个单独的文件夹内，点击小喇叭即可播放音频。（下同） 11.2 Listening 1 What is the focus of the lecturer’s talk? the existence of paranormal phenomena 2 What are the four main views that the lecturer will discuss? spiritualist, paranormal, sceptic, materialist 3 What examples of these views does she give? ghosts and spirits exist; clairvoyance is only for certain individuals; out-of-body experiences impossible to prove or disprove; all experiences are neurological processes

29. C Listen to Part 2 of the lecture and make notes. 11.2 Listening Possible notes: Spiritualists: supernatural events ↔ communication with physical world by sensitive people, e.g., a. mediums + psychic power → seances → ectoplasm = slimy = evidence of spirits b. poltergeist = invisible power → moves objects subjective ∴ difficult to prove ectoplasm = no scientific proof Parapsychology: scientific study of paranormal experiences, e.g., ESP = extra-sensory perception a. telepathy = mind reading + transmit info. at distance, b. clairvoyance = seeing at a distance, e.g., remote viewing c. precognition = predicting future

30. C Listen to Part 2 of the lecture and make notes. 11.2 Listening Possible notes: ESP experiments: in ’30s → Rhine’s experiments to prove ESP: i. 2 people – separate rooms ii. sender looks at cards + symbols iii. receiver guesses cards Rhine’s thought tests proved ESP – but not scientific recent experiments → free response method = target not known → ganzfeld = receiver → eyes and ears covered + white noise in headphones → random event generator = machine → eliminate bias Sceptics: Scientists = have experimented with paranormal → doesn’t exist

31. C Listen to Part 2 of the lecture and make notes. 11.2 Listening Possible notes Materialism: only physical things exist reductionism = more radical Science: ↓ physics + chemistry explain psychological events physics + biology advance → unexplained phenomena → explained, e.g., i. out-of-body exp. (OBE) = sensation of seeing own body from outside – cause = electrical stimulation of right temporal lobe ii. déjà vu = remembering current moment from before – explanations → cognitive theories, e.g., recognition memory

32. D Using your notes, answer the questions on the handout on the right. 11.2 Listening

33. D Using your notes, answer the questions on the handout on the right. 11.2 Listening 1 What view did the lecturer discuss first? spiritualism 2 What examples of this perspective did the lecturer mention? belief in supernatural events, mediums, communication with the dead, seances, ectoplasm, poltergeist 3 When did research into parapsychology begin? in the 1930s

34. D Using your notes, answer the questions on the handout on the right. 11.2 Listening 4 Name three forms of ESP. telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition 5 In the Rhines’ experiment, what did: a the sender do? b the receiver do? a try to send an image of a symbol on a card to another person by focusing on it b try to guess what was on the card 6 How is the free response method different from the Rhines’ experiment? Rhines = images limited to set of symbols free response = no indication of target image

35. D Using your notes, answer the questions on the handout on the right. 11.2 Listening 7 What is the purpose of a random event generator? to select situations at random to eliminate bias 8 What type of experience motivated Susan Blackmore to study parapsychology? out-of-body experience 9 Name three mainstream sciences that can often explain paranormal events. physics, chemistry and biology 10 According to the speaker, what two phenomena can be explained by science? out-of-body experience, déjà vu

36. E Refer to the model Cornell notes on page 107. 11.2 Listening 1 Check your answers with the model. 2 Complete the Review and Summary sections of the Cornell notes. phenomena with no scientific explanation dualism (mind and body separate) v. materialism (only physical is real) 1 spiritualists = supernatural exists, e.g., ghosts + spirits 2 parapsychologists = psi may exist – only recognized by some people 3 sceptics = impossible to prove or disprove 4 scientists = don’t exist – scientific explanations supernatural events ↔communication with physical world by sensitive people, e.g., a. mediums + psychic power → seances → ectoplasm = slimy = evidence of spirits b. poltergeist = invisible power → moves objects Paranormal phenomena are …? Debate is about … Views of paranormal events …? Spiritualists believe in …?

37. E Refer to the model Cornell notes on page 107. 11.2 Listening 1 Check your answers with the model. 2 Complete the Review and Summary sections of the Cornell notes. subjective ∴ difficult to prove ectoplasm = no scientific proof scientific study of paranormal experiences, e.g., ESP = extra-sensory perception a. telepathy = mind reading + transmit info. at distance, b. clairvoyance = seeing at a distance, e.g., remote viewing c. precognition = predicting future in ’30s → Rhine’s experiments to prove ESP: i. 2 people – separate rooms ii. sender looks at cards + symbols iii. receiver guesses cards Can we prove psi? Parapsychology is …? ESP experiments …

38. E Refer to the model Cornell notes on page 107. 11.2 Listening 1 Check your answers with the model. 2 Complete the Review and Summary sections of the Cornell notes. Rhine’s thought tests proved ESP – but not scientific recent experiments → free response method = target not known → ganzfeld = receiver → eyes and ears covered + white noise in headphones → random event generator = machine → eliminate bias Scientists = have experimented with paranormal → doesn’t exist only physical things exist reductionism = more radical ↓ ESP experiments … Sceptics are …? Materialism is …?

39. E Refer to the model Cornell notes on page 107. 11.2 Listening 1 Check your answers with the model. 2 Complete the Review and Summary sections of the Cornell notes. physics + chemistry explain psychological events physics + biology advance → unexplained phenomena → explained, e.g., i. out-of-body exp. (OBE) = sensation of seeing own body from outside – cause = electrical stimulation of right temporal lobe ii. déjà vu = remembering current moment from before – explanations → cognitive theories, e.g., recognition memory Science can explain …?

40. E Refer to the model Cornell notes on page 107. 11.2 Listening 1 Check your answers with the model. 2 Complete the Review and Summary sections of the Cornell notes.

41. F The lecturer talks about déjà vu. Listen again to part of the lecture. Which words tell us whether the information is fact or opinion? 11.2 Listening This phrase can be used to give both a speaker’s own opinion as well as an opposing view. Now, some people say that this is proof ofhaving lived a formerlife. In fact, the evidence shows that far fromproving that we havelived before, déjà vu canbe explained by any oneof several cognitivetheories. Sometimes, to put their case strongly, people will present opinions as facts, very strongly stated, with no tentativeness. This is clearly the lecturer’s opinion. This is a continuation of ‘in my opinion’. In my opinion, A. S. Brown’s summary of these possibilities in his article, ‘A Review of the déjà vu Experience’, published in the 2003 issue of the Psychological Bulletin, is very balanced. in my view, recognition memory theories are particularly interesting … Whether something is ‘good’ or ‘interesting’ is always a matter of opinion.

42. G Study the phrases in box a. Which type of information below follows each phrase in the blue box? Listen to some sentences from the lecture. 11.2 Listening restatement definite point summary of a source example statement of a topic another point tentative point clarification purpose for speaking

43. Recognizing fixed phrases from academic English (4) Vocabulary bank In Units 7, 9 and 10, we learnt some key fixed phrases from general academic English. Here are some more to use when speaking. Don’t misunderstand me. the history of ... I’m afraid that just isn't true. the presence of ... in an attempt to ... there is a correlation between ... and … … is a case in point to some degree … not only that, but ... to the extent that … Some people say … What’s more ... the effect of ... with respect to …

44. G Study the phrases in box a. Which type of information below follows each phrase in the blue box? Listen to some sentences from the lecture. 11.2 Listening restatement definite point 1 that is to say … summary of a source 2 Don’t misunderstand me. example 3 not only that, but … statement of a topic 4 … it’s fairly to say that … another point 5 to some degree, … 6 in an attempt to … tentative point clarification 7 with respect to … purpose for speaking

45. G Study the phrases in the blue box. Which type of information below follows each phrase in the blue box? Listen to some sentences from the lecture. 11.2 Listening restatement definite point 8 … gave a good description of … in … summary of a source 9 to the extent that …, example statement of a topic 10 A case in point is … another point 11 which … briefly defines as … tentative point clarification 12 (He) has no doubt that … purpose for speaking

46. H Write out one section of your notes in complete sentences. 11.2 Listening See Skills bank.

47. Skills bank Writing out notes in full • When making notes we use as few words as possible. This means that when we come to write up the notes, we need to pay attention to: • the use of numbers and symbols for words and ideas, e.g., • Notes: spiritualists = supernatural exists, e.g., ghosts + spirits • Spiritualists believe that the supernatural exists, as proved by the • appearance of ghosts and spirits … • making sure the grammatical words are put back in, e.g., • Notes: →phenomena with no scientific explanation • These are phenomena which have no scientific explanation.

48. Skills bank Writing out notes in full • When making notes we use as few words as possible. This means that when we come to write up the notes, we need to pay attention to: • making the implied meanings clear, e.g., • Notes: dualism (mind and body separate) v. materialism (only physical is real) • Dualism is the belief that the mind and body are separate, in contrast with • materialism, which maintains that only the physical world is real.

49. A Study the phrases in box a. 1 Mark the stressed syllables in each phrase. 2 Listen and check your answers. ˌmental 'powers ˌmind over 'matter ˌliving 'systems ˌphysical 'health ˌnaked 'eye ˌspecial appa'ratus ˌdistant 'healing ˌrandom 'intervals ˌsleight of 'hand 11.3 Extending skills

50. A Study the phrases in box a. 3 Which phrases have adjective + noun? Which word has the stronger stress in these phrases? • 3 Adjective + noun (second word has stronger stress): • mental powers • living systems • physical health • naked eye • special apparatus • distant healing • random intervals 11.3 Extending skills