Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

What have we learned from experimental tests of dream ESP?

Roe, C. A. (2012) What have we learned from experimental tests of dream ESP? In: Bierman, D. (ed.) Aquém e Além do Cérebro: Sono e Sonhos (Behind and Beyond the Brain: Sleep and Dreams): 9º Simpósio da Fundação Bial. Porto: Bial Foundation. 9789729928642. pp. 115-126.

Item Type: Conference Proceedings
Abstract: Approximately two thirds of all reported spontaneous cases of extrasensory perception (ESP) occur while the experient was in an altered state of consciousness, particularly while dreaming (Rhine, 1962). Early experimental attempts at the Maimonides sleep laboratory to elicit ESP by monitoring participants and waking them during REM sleep were remarkably successful, with an overall hit rate after 450 trials of 63% (where MCE = 50%) that has odds against chance of 75 million to one (Radin, 1997, p. 72). Attempts to replicate this promising finding have been limited by the prohibitive costs of maintaining a sleep laboratory and difficulties in recruiting participants for studies that require them to stay overnight. However, some researchers have continued to investigate dream ESP using cheaper and less labour-intensive methods. In this presentation I outline some of the methods adopted by teams working post-Maimonides and consider recent reviews of this database (Roe & Sherwood, 2009; Sherwood & Roe, 2003) to draw conclusions as to whether an effect has been demonstrated. I will pay particular attention to conceptual and methodological weakness in later replications and make recommendations for future work.
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF1228 Spiritualism > BF1321 Extrasensory perception
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF1001 Parapsychology. Psychic research. Psychology of the conscious
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF1048 Hallucinations. Sleep. Dreaming. Visions > BF1078 Dreams
Creators: Roe, Chris A
Editors: Bierman, Dick
Publisher: Bial Foundation
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Processes
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Social Sciences (to 2016)
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
Date: 2012
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 115-126
Title of Book: Aquém e Além do Cérebro: Sono e Sonhos (Behind and Beyond the Brain: Sleep and Dreams): 9º Simpósio da Fundação Bial
Event Title: Aquém e Além do Cérebro: Sono e Sonhos: 9º Simpósio da Fundação Bial
Event Dates: 28-31 March 2012
Place of Publication: Porto
Event Location: Porto
Event Type: Conference
Number of Pages: 12
Language: English
ISBN: 9789729928642
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: No
Related URLs:
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/7047

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