Abstract-Mean values of the z-scores of statistical psi effects in psychokinesis (PK) and extrasensory perception (ESP) are compiled. Under the influence of psi, the z-score distribution of experiments with binary random number generators (RNGs) at large numbers N of bits is known to be shifted and widened, but to remain indifferent to N. The mean z-score of binary one-trial experiments with dream psi is noted to be not much smaller than the mean z-score of these (presumably) mostly isolated many-trial experiments (...) with RNGs. This could suggest that with two equivalent choices PK and ESP are equally effective, or very nearly so, and the mean z-scores are almost equal at all N down to N = 1. The widening is found to be attributable to a Gaussian distribution of the magnitude of the PK effect that causes the shift, provided the z-score distribution remains Gaussian. Formulas are proposed to compute from the values of shift and widening as observed with RNGs those of psi effects with more than two equivalent choices, such as falling dice. They are only partially confirmed by the (still rather scanty) datasets of such systems. Finally, psi-induced switching and mind-neuron interaction are revisited. Keywords: statistical parapsychology--mean values--relationships between mean values--psi effects--psychokinesis (PK)--extrasensory perception (ESP)--random number generators (RNGs). (shrink)

An attempt is made to recognize a system behind the psi effects that are evaluated in terms of hit rates. For this purpose we formulate five rules which seem to apply at least to studies of good quality with the most common chance hit rates = ½ or ¼. A problem in the statistical evaluation of the results arises from the fact that the hit rate cannot be smaller than 0 or larger than 1. This implies that the -scores of (...) an experiment, i.e. the ratio of deviation to standard deviation, and their mean values are limited as well. Since the true effect size should in principle be unbounded, its standard definition by may be expected to fail near the boundaries. Especially for one-trial experiments where the effect size is concentrated in a single choice between hit or miss, a definition is needed which is unlimited but at small enough values merges with. For such an extension, two models will be proposed, one of them with three variants. On this basis it is calculated how the measured could be related to the true effect size. A sixth rule elaborates on the scattering of the effect size and is called preliminary as it rests solely on PK experiments with random number generators. It is used to estimate the average hit rate and average -score when the limits affect the integral of the hit rate. It turns out that the average hit rate measured in one-trial experiments can be influenced by the limits of even when it is not near one of the limits. A comparison of theory and experiment favors one of the models or a variant of the other, but no definitive conclusions can be drawn because of the large uncertainties of the data and possible inadvertent errors in counting the number of experiments. (shrink)

In this paper, I explore the link between consciousness and quantum mechanics. Often explanations that invoke consciousness to help explain some of the most perplexing aspects of quantum mechanics are not given serious attention. However, casual dismissal is perhaps unwarranted, given the persistence of the measurement problem, as well as the mysterious nature of consciousness. Using data accumulated from experiments in parapsychology, I examine what anomalous data with respect to consciousness might tell us about various explanations of quantum mechanics. I (...) examine three categories of quantum mechanics interpretations that have some promise of fitting with this anomalous data. I conclude that explanations that posit a substratum of reality containing pure information or potentia, along the lines proposed by Bohm and Stapp, off er the best fit for various categories of this data. (shrink)

Throughout the debate on psi, skeptics have almost universally insisted on different standards for evaluating the evidence, claiming that psi represents a radical departure from our current scientific understanding. Thus, there is considerable ambiguity about what standard of evaluation psi must meet. Little attention has been paid to the possible harm to the integrity of scientific investigation from this resulting inconsistency in testing standards. Some have proposed using a Bayesian framework as an improvement on this dilemma in order to more (...) explicitly model beliefs, assumptions, and background scientific knowledge, especially when evaluating a controversial hypothesis. Recently, Kuhn’s notion of paradigms, which constrains scientific research within bound- aries believed to be most productive, has been incorporated into a Bayesian framework. Within this framework, I explore a likely paradigm or meta-theory used by skeptics that typically constrains research and makes it difficult for psi evidence to be accepted. It appears that such a paradigm would in many respects have difficulty accounting for consciousness, which is fundamental to an understanding of psi. I discuss why psi data are likely to play a key role in making progress in solving the problem of consciousness. Thus, applying different standards of evaluation to psi data is likely counterproductive. (shrink)