PARAPSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH

CIA-STARGATE

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The memorandum discusses the CIA's research plans in the field of parapsychology. The previous research project conducted by SRI was discontinued due to high cost and inconclusive findings. However, the operationally oriented portion of the project did yield some interesting results. The CIA acknowledges the need for close observation in this field and has planned a survey project for FY-77 and FY-78. The project includes a review of recent literature and visits to other laboratories conducting significant research in parapsychology. The CIA aims to identify promising research alternatives and determine criteria for what would be considered significant performance in paranormal phenomena.

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Body:  Approved For Release. 2004/08/25 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700090015-2
 37
 DDfS&T-l381-76
 MEMORANDUM FOR:    Associate Deputy Director for Administration
 FROc1:             Associate Deputy Director for Science and
 Technology
 SUBJECT:           Parapsychology Research
 REFURfNcg:         Memorandum from A/DDA to .M)D/S&T dated
 23 February 1976, Subject:  SRI Report
 on Perceptual Augmentation
 1.  Because you have expressed an interest, as a
 Directorate, in the subject of parapsychology, I would like
 to outline our current research plans in this area,
 2   As you may know, we elected not to continue the S I
 research project because of its substantial cost and because
 of the generally negative findings in the physiological por-
 tion of the research.,.  For example, a promising earlier cor-
 relation between brain wave patterns and the on-off status
 of a hidden light inside a screen room was not substantiated
 by the most recent study.  The operationally oriented portion
 of the SRI work did yield some very interesting findings.
 Unfortunately, these were open to question because of pro-
 cedural shortcomings, such as the lack of controls. lack of
 predoterrai.ned criteria for ?"hits v failure to follow accepted
 double blind .methodology, and the involvement of experimental
 team member s tier selves as subjects.
 3.  He do agree that the field requires close observation,
 however, until we can identify promising and potentially use-
 ful research alternatives.  We have progrem,ed a significant
 survey project for FY-77 and a follow-on for FY-78.  The
 FY-77 work will include an in-depth review of the recent
 literature, together with visits to laboratories doing sig-
 nificant research in the fiold.  The contractor will be a
 reputable scientist who holds neither a position of flat
 rejection nor an aiutright espousal of paaranortal phenomena
 Approved For Release 2004/08/25 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700090015-2
 4
 Approved For Release 2004/08/25  CIA-RDP96-00787R000700090015-2
 SG1 I       LSR/CARD/DD/SF,T:
 SUBJECT;   Parapsycholog
 y 'esearc'h
 11
 generally.  At the stir.:e tiMe Te will. attempt to determine
 internal criteria as to what types and levels performance would be Considered im .ort    to  of gencyrif
 they could be demonstrated..        p     :t                                                the ~x~ onc:y i
 Distribution:
 Original -
 Addressee
 I -
 D/OTS
 1 -
 ADD/S&T
 1 -
 D/ORD
 1 -
 LSR/ORD
 2 - DD/S&T Registry
 I - ORD Registry
 1iayre Stovens                        SG1I
 164arch 1976
 Approved For Release 2004/08/25 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700090015-2