Research in parapsychology 1985 : abstracts and papers from the twenty-eighth annual convention of the Parapsychological Association, 1985

This volume contains over 70 original contributions to the scientific study of psychic phenomena. Research abstracts describe studies of psychokinesis ('mind over matter') on random number generators and other objects and studies of psychological and physical (e.g., geomagnetic) factors in ESP. Preliminary reports of research with novel testing techniques, as well as methodological and statistical advances, are also presented. Theoretical contributions include an informational model for psi test results and a commentary on the value of sociolinguistics for psi research. Roundtable discussions address such topics as fear of psi, mental states in paranormal healing, psi and consciousness, and clinical parapsychology. The book is of value to those who wish to keep abreast of the latest developments in scientific parapsychology, though many papers are of interest to readers who are not technically minded. Of special interest to scholars and historians of science are a special session commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the American Society for Psychical Research and symposia evaluating terminological problems and parapsychology's progress over the past century.