Abstract
Nine experiments are described in which muscular and “mental” relaxation was studied as a physiological and psychological state which appears to be quite conducive to the occurrence of paranormal phenomena such as telepathy and clairvoyance. Following a general introduction to the area, seven exploratory experiments are described in which relaxation was induced in Ss through the use of a modified Jacobson’s progressive relaxation technique and suggestions for mental quietude and passivity. Ss scored highly accurately and significantly in tests of telepathic and clairvoyant knowledge of art print targets being viewed by sensorily isolated agents. Two further, more analytical, studies indicated that the good psi performance of Ss was indeed attributable to degree of relaxation and not to possible confounding variables such as belief mood, attitude, or changes in other “states.” This paper is presented in hopes that the consistent results obtained might stimulate further research in this relatively neglected area of paranormal information processing.
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Part of the research described herein was made possible by a grant from Mind Science Foundation, Los Angeles, California.
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Braud, W.G. Relaxation as a Psi-conducive state. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 3, 115–118 (1974). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333412
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333412