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Summary on article: A pentalogue on parapsychology

The article was published in “The Psychologist” as 9th chapter from page number 361 -363
on August 1996 under the title of “Is the spirit willing? - A pentalouge on Parapsychology”.
The word “Pentalogue” means a series of five statements by 5 different persons
The article itself is the review of 1995 “Test your psychic power” by Susan Blackmore and
Adam Hart – Davis. The review was done by Andrew Colman and later thought to get into
depth of the view of parapsychology which he thought would be controversial yet wanted the
to keep discussion open which would be fascinating to involve the different prospective
enlightenment. Colman approached the editor of The Psychologist for suggestion to present
such idea and with the help of Bronfenbrenner, Kessel, Kessen, and White where the issue
can be aired among the parapsychology interested psychologist. The concept was agreed by
editor and thus the article is cumulative thoughts of various psychologist perspectives
towards the topic.
As the article named as Pentalogue which means a series of five different individual
statements. The article involves five individuals (Susan Blackmore, Robert L. Morris,
Richard Wiseman, and Christopher C. French) who confabulated on central dilemma of
research into the paranormal. Here the opening statement were introduced by author (Andrew
Colman) which was sent to Susan Blackmore for her ideology; the responses by author
Colman and Blackmore was sent to Robert L Morris for further contribution which resultant
into a discrete yet cumulative outlook to the discussion.
Andrew M. Colman: The Opening Statement
Colman point of view on the parapsychology aspects are quite sceptical as he states the
paranormal is often less interesting as one learns more about it. Scientific evidence often
dissolves under scrutiny, with many experiments being either flawed or fraudulent. It just
now we know how magicians trick work so, looking at those tricks are of now logically
perceived. Colman did reviews on Extra sensory Perception but there is no more evidence to
make him believe that.
He talked about “Test your Psychic powers” book written by Susan Blackmore and Adam
Hart-Davis's 1995 book manages to rekindle interest in the paranormal without
sensationalizing or distorting the evidence. The book covers various psychical research
topics, including telepathy, crystal effects, dreams, dowsing, premonitions, psychokinesis,
ouija and planchette phenomena, palmistry, and astrology. The book provides anecdotal
evidence, a balanced summary of relevant research evidence, and detailed instructions on
performing controlled experiments. The discussions are superb and the experiments are well-
thought-out, making it a delightful read for general readers.
Colman questions the value of further experiments on paranormal phenomena and suggests
that researchers could focus on investigating why people believe such things, a topic that
other contributors have made significant contributions to. They question the rationale behind
astrology and other paranormal theories.
Susan Blackmore
The author of “Test your psychic power” answered why she bother to conduct more
experiments in this field because 25 years ago, they were convinced of telepathy and astral

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bodies flying, but they changed their mind after conducting experiments. They found out they
were wrong, as they discovered that dowsing works only when the answer is known in
advance. This experience taught them about unconscious muscular action and the importance
of understanding the truth behind telepathy and astral bodies. The book serves as a valuable
resource for those interested in this topic.
Experimenting with horoscopes and palmistry can reveal our willingness to accept
generalized personality readings and generalized personality claims. For e.g.: Britany is
moody not because she is cancer moon in retrograde but having due to her periods. The
controlled test of crystal power to attract money is to pretty much entertaining.
This book encourages amateur experimenters to think experimentally, especially about
something they care about. It also addresses the dislike of psychology students who hate
experimental design and statistics. By using parapsychological practices, arguments can
change from 'yes, it is!' to 'could she have heard something?', making parapsychological
practices a valuable tool for understanding and proving psychic claims. The only reason she
bothers to conduct such experiments is to provoke the ideology to see parapsychology from
science point of view.
Robert L. Morris
As Andrew Colman quoted that, research of an effect is useless if the hypothesis is mocked.
However, reaching agreement on a theory's absurdity is difficult and should not be mistaken
with its interpretation. Bottom-up approaches are preferred by researchers such as Edinburgh,
who evaluate different possible interpretations of available data.
The research explores the concept of unconventional experiences and events, evaluating
conventional interpretations, including self-deception and cognitive mistakes, and strategies
of deception and exploitation. It also investigates factors affecting belief system formation,
development, and maintenance. The approach overlaps with Sue Blackmore's and other
colleagues' debates. The research also explores the possibility of new environmental
interaction methods, utilizing promising evidence from other researchers and striving to
improve upon them.
The methodology and ability to handle fraud interpretations are improving, but opinions on
the quality of studies can be subjective. This is particularly problematic in complex systems
studies, where there is much to learn. The author has not read a study without flaws, and
readers are encouraged to suggest one. Our work focuses on examining special circumstances
conducive to interaction, examining individual differences and situational factors, varying
conditions, and developing testable models like the noise reduction model in ESP research
like the Ganzfeld studies.
New means of interaction should be learned through a multidisciplinary approach with
diverse methodologies and meaningful research procedures. If no new means exist, a clear
picture of self-misleading and others' misleading must be built. Research programs should
provide the best opportunity for the desired effect under controlled conditions, as failures are
less persuasive than successful studies.
He concludes his thoughts with a final statement as to discusses the importance of examining
paranormal events, arguing that ignoring them or dismissing them prematurely could lead to

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ignorance and failure of science. They suggest that differences in definitions of the term
'paranorma' may contribute to this disagreement.
Richard Wiseman
He believed parapsychological researches are majorly done for 2 purposes that are 1) To
develop and evaluate the methodology of science for the actuality of the registered
phenomena which can eventually contribute in parapsychology and psychology studies. 2)
For considering the debate about existence of psychic abilities cannot end just by arguing if
those phenomena are theoretically or experimental proven. Parapsychological research offers
valuable opportunities to evaluate and develop scientific methods for determining the reality
of reported phenomena. Critics have found methodological and statistical artifacts in some
studies, revealing potential sources of bias. The debate surrounding psychic abilities cannot
be resolved by arguing about theoretical possibility. The best way to establish their
authenticity is through well-designed experiments. Psi proponents argue that collected data
supports 'anomalous cognition', but the data are intriguing and deserving further
investigation.
Christopher C. French
The author disagrees with Andrew Colman's claim that parapsychological research is
pointless, despite suspecting that paranormal forces do not exist. They acknowledge the long
list of 'preposterous theories' that the scientific community initially rejected but later
embraced, such as Wegener's theory of continental drift, Mayer's law of conservation of
energy, and Boltzman's kinetic theory of gases. He also criticizes Richard Dawkins for his
vitriolic attack on astrology, stating that he could not prove that there is no truth in astrology.
French believes that rejecting claims without considering empirical evidence is not good
science. The history of parapsychology leads the author to be cautious in accepting it at face
value, as they were taken in by the Soal-Goldney data as an undergraduate. He will wait and
see if other subtle methodological problems are present.
Andrew Final wording
Bob and Chris argue that consensus isn't always possible on absurd theories, and Richard
believes that paranormal phenomena cannot be determined by theoretical debates. The
Colman agrees, but disagrees with the lack of consensus. They believe we should choose
which problems to pursue, treating all hypotheses equally due to limited resources. They
suggest pursuing promising hypotheses and ignoring worthless ones.
My point of view:
The question raised by Colman about conducting experiments for parapsychology is useless
but as a researcher or science person it is very naïve of a human for not conducting
experiments. If there are questions, beliefs and curiosity one has to right to dive into the
research to look or to know about it’s working or phenomenon. I agree with Blackmore
comments about exploring the foundation, interconnection to various field as well as the
lending a scientific foundation to parapsychology and raising a thought in people who believe
in paranormal happenings not something as abnormal but a reduced scientific cause. The
opinions of various author concluded on the developing various methodology or finding the
best method to prove the phenomenon, presenting the data in empirical or scientific methods,

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the paranorma word definition might vary from person to person, constructive researches on
paranormal phenomenon wouldn’t be pointless as it is adding up or spotting light on the
scientific development and as human tendency has always been the curious cat. Afterall none
of them are debating on its existence or not but to prove it either scientifically or
paranormally.

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Summary of Parapsychology – a challenge for science

The Tedx Talk by Dr. Walter Von Lucadou who is German psychologist and physicist and
founder of Parapsychologische Beratungsstelle at Freiburg, Germany; talks about the
Parapsychology being the challenge to the science as he quotes ‘The paranormal is Normal
but Quite different.’ He shared the project of Parapsychological counselling office where they
help persons who undergo some extra ordinary experiences which are term as Paranormal by
the people.
The tales from hundreds of peoples who have encountered paranormal phenomena can be
comprehended in quite empirical way. The first case study was of a woman who experienced
a phenomenon termed as ‘Psychokinesis’ (given by parapsychologist). The woman shared a
occurrence where her daughter (Karen) somehow managed to put the spectacles raised slowly
and then back towards the newspaper without any physical moment and the dog present in
the other room behaved strangely. In the end of the letter, she agreed to the fact it is common
occurring to her daughter and doesn’t want to interrupt. Psychokinesis is direct mental
interaction with external physical processes and about the experience, the dog, her spectacles
are external objects.
GB Rhine an American Biologist and professor did multiple scientific experiments were held
to investigate the Psychokinesis happenings. From throwing Dyes to the subject to getting
Tison a perfect number were held however the scientific community was not persuaded
which led to debate for 30
– 40 years and in the end;
the result published in
well-known engineering
journal in 1981 by
researcher Bob Jean et.al
at Princeton University.
The result consists of
graph about a number
generator which produced
only once Zero. The
upper line suggest that the
subject was instructed to Figure 1: PEAR - PK experiments result
produce more once where as the lower or the baseline suggest that the subject has to produce
low numbers once as possible which also served as control panel for number generator.
As the critics and sceptics testify that the methodology is error free and the result was highly
significant but that was not enough to prove this as no physic book or psychology book has
this effect written on it which raised theoretical problem. The multiple meta-analysis
techniques shown the same result which nullify the methodological errors or statistically
errors.
In 2002, the well know physics journal published a theory to elaborate the extraordinary
effects and it was titled as “Weak Quantum Theory: Complementarity and Entanglement in
Physics and Beyond.’ By Harald et.al. The baseline of Quantum theory contributed to the

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strange psychophysical experiments. The Fundamentals of Quantum theory such as system,
state, Observable: A, B.
For eg : If we have a bucket full of water. The system is bucket full of water, state can be
temperature, density or the depth of water in a bucket. To identify the state one need
observable factor. The observable factors are the one which can be measurable i.e is
temperature, density or depth. Some Observable factors such as velocity and location have a
novel property of Complementarity where measuring 2 factors as A+B = C but B+A = D
therefore AB =/ BA. The observables in Psychology are complementary such as Measuring
mood before and after intelligence score. The drastic consequences in the presence of
complementary factors can lead to entanglement. Entanglement is defined as a system with
complementary observables creates correlations independent of spatial and temporal
distances.
The disadvantage of Entanglement
correlations is they follow Antioch
zoom which means non transmission
axiom where the patterns are not casual
and different; one cannot manipulate or
use for their own benefits as they
disappear at certain rule of 1 over
square root n ( n= number of
repetitions).
The entanglement model experiment Figure 2: NT- Axiom of Entanglement model
was conducted where the blue dots indicate the meta-analysis of existence experiments
available at 79 conducted from 600 experiments. Now the predication stated they should be
below the red lines or above.
Therefore, the effect termed as psychokinesis is not force or causal but entanglement effect
from physics point of view. Another experiment about the red ribbon the screen concluded
that the person involvement contributes to the entanglement process.
The interaction of causal and entanglement correlations is not separated such as dry sponge
and water cannot do anything but can use both to clean the place. So, Entanglement model
was applied to the natural setting so called as Poltergeist phenomenon. As per the reports at
the counselling office the weird happenings of poltergeist are not rare but very often.
As per the Entanglement experiment, the
person involvement is must.
The focus person graphs denoted that the
most of persons are in the age group of 9 –
16 years. The age group of 9 – 16 years
have certain complicated life issues and
even biological changes. The problem here
is not conscious. There are 5 constitutions
for focus persons: 1) Unconscious problem
Figure 3: Focus person graph range
2) Externalization (cycle of problems to get

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away with problems) 3) Dissociative person (mostly artist) 4) Observers and 5) somatic
robustness (they do not get ill)
According to him Poltergeist is a reaction outside the body of the focus person who refuse to
go to psychiatrics. Another case study of lady who face destruction of her items and thought
that house doesn’t like her but stating back to line she discovered that the destroyed souvenir
was related to her mother as she had close relationship with her mother and her first
experience was indeed on Mother’s Day where she felt kick on her back, the falling of vase,
the bookshelves and many more. A months later she found that her mother tried to commit
suicide and saw no possible way to her daughter’s place so as a solution she thought to find
new home for her. Therefore, if you experience the poltergeist activity it means one is not
threatened and doing good.
Final word
The TEDx talk by Dr. Walter was enlightening and spotted a light on the concept of Quantum
physics and its derivations and how the terminology changes from subjects to subjects such
as ‘Witches calls its spell, Christians call it prayer, Spiritualistic call its manifestation,
Atheists call it the placebo effects, scientist call it quantum physics as Everyone is arguing on
its name but no one is denying its existence. The empirical and statistical data about the
entanglement model is quite convincing but inducing that in natural setting what are the
probability to get that similar result every time is still a question. There has to be certain
variables at certain location or at certain setting to get the result of psychokinesis such what
we state the word of out of the body experience. Every physics theory has their exception and
their drawbacks but it is always to find a baseline to build an empire.