CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070010-2

SECRET
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP9+ 00787R000400070010-2
ORD #
1405-73
13 March 1973
SG11
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUBJECT
:
Paranormal Research
REFERENCE
:
Your solicitation of comments on proposed
research program
1. The only observation I would offer at this time
concerns the basic strategy of approach to research in
this area. It seems to me that when those with scientific
training set out to do research of this sort, they typically
set up a group of impressive controls based on the rules
of logic and probability as these generally apply to the
scientific acceptability of evidence in their respective
fields. The trouble is that these same people are also
usually completely ignorant of the methods by which the
phenomena they seek to study are typically faked by stage
performers. Lacking this knowledge, they overlook the
critical (and often very simple) variables, and, impressed
with the soundness of their elaborate methodology, are
sitting ducks for the skilled magician. On the other
hand, the stage performer, called in to observe and
critique, is quick to dismiss the phenomena with the
claim that he can duplicate it by trickery.
Whether he
demonstrates his claim or not, the matter of whether or
not the particular instance in question is real or faked
is neither proved nor disproved. What is really needed
is a teaming up of the skilled stage performer with the
scientific investigator so that experiments can be de-
signed to specifically zero in on the alleged fakery.
...
2.
In Geller's case, the recent TIME magazine article
(12 March 73, p. 112) alleges that Geller "came under
suspicion when a group of psychologists and computer
experts from Hebrew University duplicated all of his
feats and called him a fraud." But until someone subjects
Geller to tests specifically designed to rule out the
methods these people used to duplicate his feats, nothing
has been proved about Geller. To test the phenomena, this
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070010-2
E .... IMPDET GL BY ..

Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070010-2
SUBJECT :
Paranormal Research
is the place to begin. All else, -- the nature of the
phenomena, application, etc. -- comes later.
SG11
Chief, Psychological Services Staff
Office of Medical Services
Approved For Release 2000/08767 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070010-2
2

UNCLASSARESOVed
For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00FN7 R0004000 2001SECRET
USE ONLY
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
SUBJECT: (Optional)
Paranormal Research
EXTENSION
NO.
ORD #
1405-73
FROM:
C/PSS/OMS
706 CofC
3250
DATE
13 Mar 73
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
DATE
OFFICER'S
INITIALS
RECEIVED
FORWARDED
'SG11
726 Ames
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Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070010-2
FORM
610
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EDITIONS
3-62
SECRET
CONFIDENTIAL
INTERNAL
USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)

SG11
roved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070010-2
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R00040007001.