REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO PARANORMAL RESEARCH

CIA-STARGATE

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This document is a questionnaire sent to a group of officers soliciting their views on a proposed research program in the field of paranormal phenomena. The officers chosen have knowledge of recently reported phenomena and are deemed capable of providing valuable insights. The questionnaire covers three main areas: establishing the validity of paranormal phenomena, potential applications in intelligence operations, and studying the mechanics or dynamics behind these phenomena. The officers are asked to provide their input on various questions related to these areas. The document specifies that responses to the questions on phenomelogy should be submitted by March 15, 1973, and responses to the other areas by March 31. It emphasizes that the format of the responses can be informal and that the officers' ideas and experiences are sought, rather than formal studies or memoranda. Contact information for any questions or replies is also provided.

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Body:  Approved ForRF g -M"/EQN~7S:RCPFaD,g?~-80713T O N     M-3L RESEARCH
 You are one of a group of officers from whom DDS&T/ORD is seeking informal views
 on appropriate requirements for a proposed research program in the field of paranormal
 phenomena.     We have selected officers who are already aware of the recently reported
 (GELLER and SWANN) phenomena and who, by virtue of their backgrounds and the special
 interests of their components, can make substantive contributions on a broad enough scale
 to ensure that the research design satisfies all legitimate needs and points of view. While
 we wish to limit general awareness of the program, please feel free to discuss your res-
 ponse to this request with your colleagues to the extent you feel necessary.
 We are seeking comments on three basic areas: means of establishing definitively that
 the reported phenomena are actually paranormal, employing either extraordinary acuity of
 the known senses or unknown modes of perception and energy; if so validated, practical
 applications that the phenomena might have in intelligence operations; and, if validated,
 possible means of elucidating the mechanics or dynamics underlying the phenomena.  You
 are not necessarily expected to address yourself to all of these issues (nor, for that matter,
 need you feel limited to them) but the following questionnaire is organized along those lines
 for ease in compiling the responses.
 Initially, we are most concerned about Area I (Phenomenology) and would appreciate
 having your replies to those questions, at least, no later than 15 March 1973. Responses
 to the other areas should be submitted by 31 March.  Please note that we do not expect or
 want formal studies or even formal memoranda.  All we want is the benefit of your exper-
 ience and your ideas in whatever rou h form is most convenient for you.  Please address
 SG1Iany questions you might have to                 (extension 2702) and send your replies to
 him (Room 726, Ames Building).
 PARANORMAL RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE
 AREA I  :  PHENOMEJNOLOGY
 1. What general questions would you like to have answered by our testing of the phenomena?
 2. What specific tests or series of tests would you suggest we apply to the Subjects--
 either in the context of the phenomena they are already reported to have performed or
 new types of phenomena?        (Note: You may want to design tests of a basic research nature
 or ones having more immediate, though disguised, operational application--or both. )
 3. If you would like to have a given series of tests on the same phenomena subjected to
 progressively more difficult conditions in order to focus on such questions as 'resolution'
 or rate of attenuation, what conditions (e. g. , space, intervening substances, etc) would
 you specify?
 4. What general laboratory-testing conditions would you like to have initiated in order to
 preclude either fraud or unconscious cue-giving by the researchers ?
 5. What kinds of statistical-analytical procedures would you suggest concerning the
 collection, storing and processing of raw test data?
 6. Do you have any other views or suggestions concerning the testing of the phenomena?
 AREA II : APPLICATION
 7. If validated, what ideas do you have regarding :  screening and testing a broader
 paranormal population in a manner which is both secure and efficient? means of identifying
 individuals with submerged paranormal capacities or attributes ? means of surfacing/
 training /perfecting such capacities for controlled performance in an intelligence context?
 8. What general views do you have concerning the possible application of such phenomena
 in support of intelligence missions and the national interest?
 9. As regards your component's special area of interest, what particular significance
 would the validated phenomena have--in 'offensive' or 'defensive' terms or both?
 AREA III  :  ELUCIDATION
 10. Although admittedly premature in some respects, what general views do you have
 concerning basic theories or hypotheses about the 'nature' of the phenomena and how would
 you suggest they be tested?
 11. In subsequent testing (assuming the phenomena, themselves, are validated) what kinds
 of tests or controls (e. g. , EEG, ECG, etc) would you suggest be used with the Subjects
 while the producing phenomena?
 12. What other non-phenomenological investigations or tests (e. g. , physiological, psycho-
 logical, behavioral, background, etc) would you like to have performed on the Subjects ?
 Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070019-3