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JTK
DG
JPRS-UBB-86-013-L
25 JUNE 1986
USSR Report
LIFE SCIENCES
BIOMEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
FBIS
FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
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Selective Attention and Eye Movement Control
(V.I. Belopolskiy; PSIKHOLOGICHESKIY ZHURNAL,
No 3, May-Jun 85)
117
Book:
Brain Processing of Visual Signals
(ZRENIYE I MYSHLENIYE, 1985)
141
Error-Detecting Neurons in Subcortical Structures of the
Human Brain
(N.P. Bekhtereva, Yu. D. Kropotov, et al .; DOKLADY
AKADEMII NAUK SSSR, No 5, Dec 85)
144
PUBLIC HEALTH
Book: Current Issues in Medicine and Public Health
(METODOLOGICHESKIYE PROBLEMY MEDITSINY I BIOLOGII, 1985). 148
PSYCHOLOGY
Instruments and Equipment for Study of Psychophysiological
Characteristics of Man
(G.V. Lozhkin, V.V. Spasennikov; PSIKHOLOGICHESKIY
ZHURNAL, No 4, Jul-Aug 85)
155
Book: Psychological Patterns of Perception and Memory
(PSIKHOFIZIOLOGICHESKIYE ZAKONOMERNOSTI VOSPRIYATIYA
I PAMYATI, 1985)
160
Investigations of So-Called 'Extrasensory' Perception
(N.K. Lipgart, V. V. Ivanov, et al .; PSIKHOLOGICHESKIY
ZHURNAL, No 3, May-Jun 85)
163
.
MISCELLANEOUS
Book:
Research at USSR Academy of Medical Sciences
(TRUDY AKADEMII MEDITSINSKIKH NAUK SSSR. TOM I, 1986) .... 169
Book: Mathematical and Computer Methods in Biology
(MATEMATICHESKIYE I VYCHISLITELNYYE METODY V
BIOLOGII. TEZISY DOKLADOV, 1985)
172
₭
7
5
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INVESTIGATIONS OF SO-CALLED 'EXTRASENSORY' PERCEPTION
Moscow PSIKHOLOGICHESKIY ZHURNAL in Russian Vol 6, No 3, May-Jun 85 pp 96-99
[Article by Natalia Karlovna Lipgart, doctor of medical sciences, department
head,
Vsevolod
Victorovich
Ivanov,
scientific associate,
and
Boris
Konstantinovich Pashnev, psychologist, Kharkov Research Institute of Neurology
and Psychiatry]
[Text ] We set the task of investigating the psychophysiological mechanisms of
so-called "extrasensory" perception.
More than 300 essentially healthy
subjects of both sexes, different ages and educational requirements, and a
wide range of occupations, as well as 32 so-called "extrasenses" possessing,
according to their claim, phenomenal powers, took part in the investigation.
We selected man's "perception of biofields" and the "biofield effect" as the
examined phenomenon.
-
Mechanisms of appearance of "field sensations" under conditions of simulation
of apparatus irradiation were initially clarified in experiments. . The
experiment was conducted with a group (38 people) of essentially healthy
subjects of both sexes aged 19 to 32.
The "irradiation" of subjects on an individual basis by a device consisting
of an oscillograph of the 30-1 type and a VZ-3 voltmeter with a high-frequency
head, which played the part of a "directional antenna," was simulated.
The
apparatus was not connected to a network.
The "radiator's antenna"
was moved by experimenters successively closer,
farther, and to the right and left of the subject positioned in front of it
at a distance of 1.5 to 2 m.
Furthermore, a
change
in "irradiation
frequencies" by switching voltmeter tumblers was simulated three times.
Before the beginning of the experiment subjects were given a stereotype
instruction to the effect that new equipment for a remote effect on man would
be investigated.
It was pointed out that subjects should seemingly become
expert evaluators, because the capabilities of this apparatus were not yet
known.
Perhaps, it did not have any capability of affecting man.
Thus,
subjects were not clearly programmed to receive the given sensations.
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Before
the beginning of the experiment subjects were supposed to analyze the
existence (or absence) of any specific or nonspecific sensations during rest.
Such sensations were not noted in the overwhelming majority.
A mild headache
was observed in one man and the phenomenon of rhinitis, in another.
In the course of the experiment subjects were instructed to closely follow
and, upon the completion of the experiment, to record in their self-reports
their sensations and the dynamics and localization of the latter, as well as
to give their interpretation of the reasons for the change in sensations
(distance, direction, and "power" of irradiation).
All subjects noted the appearance during the experiment of specific indefinite
sensations (heat, cold, tingling, vibration, pressure, etc. ) with a primary
spontaneous localization in the areas of the wrists and the head.
The
appearance of spontaneous visual illusions (light and so forth) was noted in
eight subjects.
The dynamics of sensations fully corresponded to the
simulated "switching of the instrument" and had an appropriate interpretation
by all subjects.
£
It is characteristic that in the indicated two
cases
of
indisposition before the beginning of the experiment (headache and rhinitis)
disease symptoms disappeared after "irradiation."
As a consequence of another experiment with a similar instrument, in which 27
essentially healthy subjects programmed to receive the given sensations
took
part (the instruction stressed the efficient effect of the instrument on man),
identical results were obtained. However, it should be stressed that in this
group sensations recorded by subjects were more pronounced and localized than
in the first group and, furthermore, relaxation and somnolence occurred in six
subjects.
An analysis of self-reports and observations makes it possible to interpret
the sensations of subjects as an activation of "sensory noise" in the sphere
of cutaneous and other analyzers under conditions of expectation of an
undetermined effect. On this basis the mechanism of probability forecasting
actively forms the presumed sensations or states in the sphere
of the
appropriate analyzer.
A subjective evaluation in self-reports of the
phenomena of perception arising in the process and the localization and degree
of their intensity corresponded to the subject's psychological set and the
degree of his assumed information on the nature and "quality" of the effect.
Thus, depending on the subject's psychological set a self-evaluation of his
occurring sensations potentiated their further development according
to
mechanisms of autosuggestion even up to the level of illusory perception.
Therefore, we assume that in the process of formation of illusory perception
not only suggestion, but also autosuggestion, can play an especially important
role.
For the study of the "biofield effect" we conducted the following experiment,
in which
58 essentially healthy subjects of both sexes aged 16 to
40
took
part.
Before
the beginning of the experiment subjects were given a
standard
instruction to the effect that six "extrasenses," of whom one was
"especially
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strong, " one was "weak," and four were approximately at the same
level
of
"strength" would successively conduct an experiment with them now.
Subjects
were supposed to record in their self-reports their sensations and state and
the dynamics of the latter, as well as to give an evaluation of the "strength"
of every "extrasense." Then six people, of whom three were "extrasenses" and
three, ordinary experimenters (not extrasenses) unknown to the subjects , who
imitated the behavior and reaction of "extrasenses," successively worked with
every subject.
A total of 15 "extrasenses," whose "powers" were recognized by a wide circle
of individuals, were used in experiments.
Subjects were divided into two groups (26 and 32 people).
In the first group
at the beginning "extrasenses" and then experimenters exerted an "effect." In
the second group the sequence of the effect was the opposite.
The absence of
verbal communication between individuals exerting the effect and subjects in
the process of the experiment was a mandatory condition.
The experiment consisted of 10 min of individual effect of every participant --
an "extrasense" or an experimenter -- on a subject.
The entire experiment was
conducted in the standing position.
"Irradiation" was carried out by palms
and fingers at a distance of 20 to 50 cm from the examinee's body with the use
of gestures and passes over local sections of the subject's body, head, and
limbs.
Every "extrasense" filled in a self-report, in which he recorded his
sensations and ideas during the "effect," and also described his methods and
pointed out their objective and presumed effect on a subject.
Control
was
carried out by two experimenter-observers, who separately recorded the course
of the experiment, actions of "extrasenses" and imitators, and external
reactions of subjects. Every subject also filled in a self-report, where he
recorded all his sensations during a session and their strength.
An analysis of self-reports of the subjects showed the appearance
in them
during the "effect" of "extrasenses" and imitators of specific sensations in
many respects similar to those arising during a simulation of the irradiation
apparatus ,
but much more extensive in localization and manifestation -- heat,
cold,
tingling, vibration, "electric current," pressure, "flow movement, "
light
flash, and so forth -- as well as (in 32 cases) the development
of
lightness, heaviness, somnolence or (21 cases) excitation, disturbance
in
statics, and "freezing" of hands.
The appearance of hand numbness was noted
in three subjects and an increase in the sensitivity of wrists, in nine.
Spontaneous sensomotor reactions -- an involuntary lifting ("surfacing") and
movements of hands and turns and inclinations of the trunk and the head
accompanied in most cases by sensations of "strength of an undetermined
nature" "moving" the body, a limb, or the head -- occurred in 16 subjects. In
two cases
movements were not noted by the subjects
themselves.
Complex
sensory illusions were noted in 26 subjects.
Reports by subjects of both groups showed a complete identity of sensations
and reactions under the effect of "extrasenses" and imitators.
Moreover,
in
their self-reports 23 people determined one of the imitators as the "strongest
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extrasense" and 22 people pointed to three "recognized" "extrasenses" as the
"weakest. "
An analysis of the self-reports of "extrasenses" also showed the existence of
pronounced sensory sensations and phenomena of exteriorization of tactile and
visceral illusions of the type "emanation of energy flows, "
"sense of
nonuniformity of the field, " "sense of contiguity and effect of one's own
biofield and of the subject's biofield," and so forth.
Pronounced visual illusions in the form of "luminescence of energy" and
a
"color
aura" in the subject and visions of "energy flows" and the "astral
body" of the subject, as well as their "changes" under the "effect" of an
"extrasense," were noted in 9 (out of 15) "extrasenses" during their effect.
Actions and methods (passes, movements, and so forth) were performed by
"extrasenses" in full accordance with the dynamics of change in their sensory
illusions.
In all self-reports "extrasenses" noted their absolute confidence
in the reliability of the indicated phenomena axparienced by them and, in
their opinion, adequately evaluated the actions of the examined subject.
The interpretation by "extrasenses" of their own actions and images
in
15
participants in the experiment was of the nature of traditional
occult
symbolism:
in two "extrasenses" the nature of interpretation
was in
accordance with the traditional Yoga system and in one, mesmerism.
In other
cases the interpretation was of a "mixed" nature of the indicated
systems,
distorted
ideas of a system,
"meridians" of
zen-zhu
therapy,
and
hallucinations of an "extrasense."
Similar results were obtained in another experiment conducted with 32 subjects
according to a complicated scheme. Eight "extrasenses" were instructed to
evoke in subjects a number of specific sensations and states according to a
given program.
In this case, subjects were not supposed to see the
"extrasense" (the effect was produced from behind). A comparison of the self-
answers of subjects and of "extrasenses" with the indicated program revealed a
complete spontaneity of sensations arising under the "effect."
It is
significant that the difference in individual modes of effect of "extrasenses"
and imitators did not have an effect on the nature of occurring sensations,
correcting exclusively their localization and manifestation ("strength")
according to mechanisms of probability forecasting and evaluation.
For the purpose of determining the role of reproducibility of the nervous
system in the "perception of the biofield," the following experiment
was
conducted with 18 subjects participating in the previous experiment and
determining one of the imitators as the "strongest extrasense."
Subjects
were notified of the time (2200) and day when the "effect would be
exerted"
on
them by the "extrasense" chosen by them as the "strongest."
They were
advised that the effect would last 15 min and instructed to record their
sensations and state in detail. At the same time, it was stipulated that
subjects would be in domestic surroundings and "extrasenses," allegedly in a
laboratory. In reality, no effect was produced and the indicated imitator was
not notified of the experiment.
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In
this experiment the self-reports of the subjects showed a
complete
qualitative coincidence of sensations occurring in them at the appointed time
with the sensations of the "effect" experienced by them earlier.
Moreover,
intensification of occurring illusions, a significant development of the
hypnoid state, and a change in the perception of one's body -- "absence of the
body," "weight loss," and a "cloud and lightness in the head" -- which passed
after the appointed time of the session, were noted in six subjects.
In our
opinion, this points to the dominating role of autosuggestion in the formation
of the "perception of the biofield." At the same time, it is obvious that
illusions arising in such a way are the product of a reproducible activation
of sensory systems under conditions of absence of a real effect.
Thus, an analysis of the obtained investigation data shows that the occurrence
of sensory illusions of the "biofield effect" is based on an activation of
"sensory noise" under conditions of expectation of an undetermined effect.
The development of "biofield sensations" and their dynamics and intensity are
formed by unconscious autosuggestion.
In turn, as shown above, the autosuggestive formation of "imaginary perception"
is intensified and corrected by the actions, mimicry, words, and visible state
(tension, quickened breathing, and so forth) of an "extrasense," which, in
their essence,
are purposeful (although usually unrealized) suggestive
methods.
Under conditions of expectation of an "unusual" effect and,
especially, when the subject exposed to it has a high personal motivation (for
example,
hope for recovery), in fact, any stimuli emanating from an
"extrasense" and connected with the subject's personal motive become agents of
suggestion.
Exerting
a powerful and complex suggestive effect on the subject's psyche
through the mechanism of probability forecasting, in a number of cases it is
. possible to attain a psychosomatic reaction adequate to the task set (for
example, analgesia, hyperesthesia, etc. ) by "extrasensory" methods.
As shown by comparison of the results of the "effect" of "extrasenses" and of
experimenter-imitators, the role of any physical factor is absent in the
process of "biopolar effect."
At the same time, as the results of ...
analysis of self-reports by
"extrasenses" have shown, their possession, in their opinion, of "superpowers"
is the result of an inadequate interpretation by "extrasenses" of a number of
unordinary and often pathological sensations.
Similar sensations of the type
of senestopathies
and kinesthesia
are
potentiated
by unconscious
autosuggestion to the level of sensory illusions and pseudohallucinations (and
in a number of cases true visual, auditory, and other hallucinations as well).
Thus, the investigation conducted makes it possible to draw a conclusion on
the psychological nature of so-called "extrasensory" perception of "biofields"
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and of the "biofield effect," which is based on an inadequate perception of
subjective sensations potentiated by suggestive effects.
COPYRIGHT:
Izdatelstvo "Nauka", "Psikhologicheskiy zhurnal", 1985
11439
CSO:
1840/1102
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