PARAPSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH

CIA-STARGATE

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This document is a memo from the Associate Deputy Director for Science and Technology to the Deputy Director for Science and Technology regarding the CIA's research plans in parapsychology. The memo states that the CIA has decided not to continue the SRI research project due to its high cost and negative findings in the physiological portion of the research. However, the operationally oriented portion did yield interesting findings, but they were open to question due to procedural shortcomings. The memo mentions that the field of parapsychology requires close observation and that the CIA has planned a significant survey project for FY-77 and FY-78 to explore potential research alternatives. The survey project will include a literature review and visits to laboratories conducting significant research in this field. The memo also mentions the need to determine internal criteria for what types and levels of paranormal performance would be considered important to the agency if they could be demonstrated.

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Body:  Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700020007-8
 DD/SuT-I331.76
 xsx3~i#1RA:ID~ ~ FOR:  Associate. Deputy Director for Atinn finis Oration
 FR0i                   Associate Deputy Director for Science and
 Technology
 SUBJECT;               Parapsychology Research
 PE.FERE;4CE:           `rlenorandun frorz A/DDA to ADD/S&T dated
 23 February 1976, Subject:  SIZI Report
 on Perceptual Au,izentZtion
 1.  Because you have expressed an interest, as a
 Directorate, in the subject of parapsychology, I would liko
 to outline our current research plans in, this area.
 2.  As you .-,ay, know, we clect.r;d not to continue the SRI
 research project because of its substantial cost and because
 of the generally negative findings in the physiological por-
 tion of the research.   For oxanple, a promising earlier cor-
 relation between brain wave vat terns and the on-off status
 of a hidden light inside a screen roor was not substantiated
 by the most recent study.  The operationally oriented portion
 of the SRI work did yield sobs very interesting findings,
 Unfortunately, these were open to question 'because of pro-
 cedural shortco;ings, such as the lac],- of controls, lack of
 predoterrainod criteria fo-r           failure to follow accepted
 double blind methodology, and tho involvement of experimental
 team members. thcsnselves as sub jccts.
 3.  We do agree that the field requires close observation,
 however, until we can idyntify promising and potentially use-
 ful research alternatives.  We have progranmad a significant
 survey project for FY-77 and a follow-on for FY--78.  The
 FY-77 work will includo an in-depth rpv3.rV; of. the recent
 Literature, togethor with visits to laboratories doing sig-
 nificant research in the field.   The contractor will be a
 reputable scientist who, holds neither a position of flat
 roj ection nor an outright espousal of paranornal plicnomen
 CL BY 367862
 E2   IMPD7.?T
 Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700020007-8
 Approved For Release 2000/08/07: CIA-RDP96-00787R000700020007-8
 SW3.7LI-T; P r;ir sychology 7ese,irch
 (-enerally.  At the sr-ir:te time we will attempt to determine
 internal criteria as to What types and levels of paranormal
 performance would be considered i)::port int to the  gcncy if
 they could be domonstrated.   SG1 E
 Distribution:
 original - Addressee
 1 - D/OTS
 I - ADD/SiT
 I - D/ORD
 1 - LSR/0R7)
 2 - DD/SiT Registry
 I - ORD Registry
 LSR/ORD/DD/SuT:
 :2901 - 16 March 1976
 SG1I   SG1I
 Approved For-Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700020007-8