1976/01/01 by H. E. Puthoff, Russell Targ · 127 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Psychology · #Artificial intelligence #Channel (broadcasting) #Cognitive psychology #Computer science #Data science #Epistemology #Falsity #Geography #Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs #Perception #Perspective (graphical) #Phenomenon #Psychology #Quality (philosophy) #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life #Telecommunications
paper · doi:10.1109/proc.1976.10113
published in Proceedings of the IEEE 64(3), 329-354 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
openalex publication_date 1976/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
For more than 100 years, scientists have attempted to determine the truth or falsity of claims for the existence of a perceptual channel whereby certain individuals are able to perceive and describe remote data not presented to any known sense. This paper presents an outline of the history of scientific inquiry into such so-called paranormal perception and surveys the current state of the art in parapsychological research in the United States and abroad. The nature of this perceptual channel is examined in a series of experiments carried out in the Electronics and Bioengineering Laboratory of Stanford Research Institute. The perceptual modality most extensively investigated is the ability of both experienced subjects and inexperienced volunteers to view, by innate mental processes, remote geographical or technical targets including buildings, roads, and laboratory apparatus. The accumulated data indicate that the phenomenon is not a sensitive function of distance, and Faraday cage shielding does not in any apparent way degrade the quality and accuracy of perception. On the basis of this research, some areas of physics are suggested from which a description or explanation of the phenomenon could be forthcoming.