POSITION ON PARAPSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
CIA-STARGATE
PDF Scan: PDF
Open AI Summary
This document, dated November 13, 1973, discusses the CIA's position on parapsychological research and outlines a proposed program for studying parapsychological phenomena. The program suggests a two-fold approach: a basic research aspect and an intelligence objective aspect.
The basic research aspect aims to identify the underlying mechanism of "giftedness" or at least find areas of similarity among "gifted" subjects. To achieve this, the program suggests studying sensory evaluation, nervous system characterization, psychological testing, in-depth interviews, and behavioral assessment. The goal is to develop a profile or screening system for identifying "gifted" individuals.
The intelligence objective aspect involves collaboration between the Office of Technical Services (OTS) and the Office of Research and Development (ORD). The specific objectives will be determined by OTS, while ORD will help determine the protocol and data collection methods. The document highlights the importance of establishing criteria for success, reliability, accuracy, resolution, potential for enhancement, and limiting factors. CNS and ANS data will also be collected during task performance, and control subjects will be included in the study.
The document concludes that a program following the proposed approach has the potential to provide valuable data, regardless of whether the overall results are positive or negative.
Text
Body: INTERNAL USE ONLY
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000
13 November 1973
POSITION ON PARAPSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
SG1I
1. The purpose of this paper is a) to indicate agreement in
principle with an OTS recommendation that a two-fold approach be
used in the study of parapsychological phenomena; and b) to elabo-
rate what some of the elements might be that fall into each aspect
of the proposed program. Though.two separate aspects of the approach
are described, it is important to remember that the two classes of
studies must coalesce if more than anecdotal or testimonial evidence
is to emerge.
2. Basic Research Aspect - The goal is to find, if possible, the
underlying mechanism of "giftedness" or to at least identify areas. of
communality between "gifted" subjects so that they can be sufficiently
characterized to formulate a "profile" or incipient screening system.
To accomplish this the following elements, should be included in the
program:
a. Sensory Evaluation - The classical sensory path-
ways in the "gifted" andmatched control) subjects must
be studied. Testing must go beyond the "normal" range
and include discriminatory measures as well as threshold
evaluations for each modality and include some testing
(with barriers interposed) focussed on the "special"
abilities of the subject.
b. Nervous S stem Characterization - Autonomic
Nervous System heart rate, GSR, plethysmograph) and
Central Nervous System (averaged evoked potential,
contingent negative variation, spectral analysis)
will be characterized in terms of 1) baseline levels,
2) response proclivities to liminal and subliminal
stimuli, and 3) response to stimulus anticipation
(AEP, CNV, spectral analysis) and conditionability.
c. Psychological Testing - A battery of aptitude
and personality tests will be given. A BAB psycholo-
gist will conduct an independent PAS evaluation.
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-~00787R000400080009-3
OULl
INTER ti'AL USE ONLY
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400080009-3
Position on Parapsychological Research (Cont'd)
d. In-depth Interview and General History - This
task will focus on special abilities as perceived and
manifested by the "gifted" person.
e. Behavioral Assessment - Subjects will be tested
using the "assessor" tapes, "observer" movies, tachis-
toscopic detection, reaction time, field dependency,
time estimates, and other measures so as to relate the
results from the "gifted" subjects to larger populations.
These classes of data were chosen not only because they are logical in
terms of the specific problem but because the data may have some ap-
plicability to other on-going ORD problems. It is hoped a "profile"
for a "sensitive" may emerge.
3. Intelligence Objective Aspect - OTS will provide the guidance
concerning the specific objectives. OTS and ORD can collaborate in de-
termining the protocol for conducting the tasks and collecting data.
A generic problem that should be solved first is the determination of
a criterion for success (on a trial-by-trial basis) or the establishment
of a scale (ordinal) and rules for its use (reliability) to accommodate
"partial hits." It is expected that whatever specific "operational
tasks" are chosen, basic information in the following categories will
be necessary.
a. Reliability (Repeatibility)
b. Validity (Accuracy)
c. Resolution (Channel Capacity by Sensory Modality)
d. Potential for Enhancement (Learnability)
e. Limiting Factors (Force Fields, Feedback, Magnetic
Shielding, and Familiarity)
Depending on the types of tasks, CNS and ANS data will be collected
during task performance. Matched control subjects will be run on all
classes of tasks. In addition, subjects. will undergo a medical examina-
tion including blood chemistry and X-ray screening; appropriate physical
security measures will be incorporated into all tasks.
4. A program that encompasses the type of approach and rigor out-
lined above has a chance of providing "good" data (whether the overall
results are positive or negative) and should be undertaken.
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400080009-3