Larry, before you dismiss this phenomenon outright, you might want to examine the
available empirical evidence which, as Jim Clark correctly points out, lies within
the domain of parapsychology. Here are some recent abstracts:
Braud, W., Shafer, D., & Andrews, S. (1993). Further studies of autonomic
detection of remote staring: Replication, new control procedures, and personality
correlates. Journal of Parapsychology, Vol 57(4): 391-409.
ABSTRACT
Conducted 2 replications of a previous study by W. Braud et al (see record
1995-08366-001) regarding the use of the unconscious autonomic nervous system
as an
indicator of remote staring detection (RSD). The 1st replication involved 3
"starers" and 30 volunteers participating as "starees," and the 2nd involved 1
starer and 16 volunteer starees. In both replications, starers and starees were
placed in separate rooms, and the starer watched a video image of the staree to
try
to gain the staree's attention. Starees were monitored for unconscious
physiological reactions to remote staring and completed personality assessments. A
control condition involving sham staring periods was added to Replication 2. In
both replications, remote staring was associated with a remote autonomic calming
effect. Magnitude of the autonomic RSD effect was significantly related to
starees'
degrees of introversion, social avoidance, and distress.
LaBerge, S. & Schlitz, M. (1999). Covert observation increases skin conductance
in subjects unaware of when they are being observed: A replication": Reply.
Journal of Parapsychology, Vol 63(2): 182-184.
ABSTRACT
Responds to comments by N. Kreiman (see record 1999-15369-004) on the article
by M.
J. Schlitz and S. LaBerge (see record 1998-02543-001), which describes a
replication of a study by W. Braud et al (1990) investigating changes in skin
conductance of Ss when they are being observed covertly. Kreiman is cited for his
statistical assumptions, reasoning, and conclusions. Basically, Kreiman picked the
largest 5 measures out of 48, removed them from the data set, and then performed a
t test that showed that the results had been weakened. It is suggested that
Kreiman's remarkable statistical assertion resulting from this procedure might not
be obviously false if he were speaking of eliminating 5 randomly selected
measures,
rather than the 5 most extreme cases from the upper tail he has in fact removed.
Further, Kreiman claims that only 5 of the 48 trials showed the alleged
experimental effect. It is contended that 30 of the 48 trials showed positive
differences.
Kreiman, N. (1999). Covert observation increases skin conductance in subjects
unaware of when they are being observed: A replication: Comment. Journal of
Parapsychology, Vol 63(2): 181-182.
ABSTRACT
Comments on the article by M. J. Schlitz and S. LaBerge (see record
1998-02543-001), which describes a replication of a study by W. Braud et al (1990)
investigating changes in skin conductance of Ss when they are being observed
covertly. It is asked whether, in an experiment with 48 measurements in which an
alleged experimental effect was detected in only 5 of them, it can be assumed that
the experiment was successful. It is argued that this assumption cannot be made.
Schlitz, M. & LaBerge, S. (1997). Covert observation increases skin
conductance in
subjects unaware of when they are being observed: A replication. Journal of
Parapsychology, Vol 61(3): 185-196.
ABSTRACT
Measured the extent to which Ss were able to unconsciously detect another person
covertly staring at them from a distance. This study was a replication of work
conducted by W. Braud et al (1990). A video camera was focused on the S while a
person in another room (the observer) concentrated on the image of the S as
displayed on a color monitor. This procedure was used to preclude any direct
sensory contact between the 2 participants; the Ss were unaware of when they were
being observed. A microprocessor controlled the experiment, recording and
averaging
the skin conductance level (SCL) of the S during a random sequence of 30-sec
periods in which the video monitor was either activated or shut off. There were 16
periods of covert observation (monitor on) and 16 control periods (monitor off)
per
session. 39 Ss (aged 16-60 yrs) participated in a total of 48 experimental
sessions. As predicted, SCL during the covert observation periods was
significantly
greater than during the control periods. 26 Ss (66.7%) showed greater SCL during
observation than during the control condition; only 13 Ss (33%) showed greater SCL
in the covert observation condition than in the control condition.
Miguel
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Miguel Roig, Ph.D. Voice: (718) 390-4513
Assoc. Prof. of Psychology Fax: (718) 442-3612
Dept. of Psychology [EMAIL PROTECTED]
St. John's University [EMAIL PROTECTED]
300 Howard Avenue http://area51.stjohns.edu/~roig
Staten Island, NY 10301
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