Lance Storm,

• BA (Hons), PhD
• Fellow at The University of Adelaide

The decline effect (DE) has been discussed in “psi” research since the early times of experimental investigations, and many causes have been advanced from: individual psychology, social attitudes, electromagnetic fields, experimental artifacts, or physical properties often related to quantum physics. Bierman (2001) found small and statistically sig...

Highlights  The decline effect (DE) in parapsychology is a phenomenon where the extra-sensory perception and mind-matter interaction effect decreases over time.  The results of this study indicate that only one of the five experimental protocols related to extra-sensory perception showed a statistically significant slope coefficient, which sugges...

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the Ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of studies published be...

We set out to test the limits of retrocausation. Across eight experiments, we cued participants about the identity, location, timing, and whether a response should be made, after the participants had already responded. Location, timing, and whether to respond did not have a systematic retrocausal effect on responses. However, when participants were...

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the Ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of studies published be...

The decline effect (DE) has been discussed in “psi” research since the early times of experimental investigations, and many causes have been advanced from individual psychology, social attitudes, electromagnetic fields, experimental artifacts, or physical properties often related to quantum physics. Bierman (2001) found small and statistically sign...

In this paper, the phenomenology of the Trickster (its ‘darker’ side) is explored. The archetypal Trickster is shown to manifest as psychosociological aberrations and bizarre physical effects often associated with unique individuals during certain emotionally charged states. Though the Trickster and its many variants have mythological roots, the mo...

This meta-analysis is an update of Storm, Tressoldi, and Di Risio (2012); a meta-analysis on forced-choice ESP studies (1987 to 2010), which use targets such as card symbols, pictures, and letters. We formed two datasets: New Studies #1 (studies that included actual hit rates) and New Studies #2 (Reaction Time [‘RT’] Studies; which are studies that...

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of studies published be...

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the results of all meta-analyses on anomalous cognition conducted between 1989 and 2021 in order to find moderators associated with greater effect sizes. Method: We included all meta-analyses of studies related to anomalous cognition published up to 2021. Results: Our dataset, accumulated over more tha...

The author shows that numbers are far more than the symbols we use for counting, for they are founded on deep psychic structures which underlie many of our thoughts and behaviours. Numbers also give shape and meaning to our socially constructed world. The book traces the first appearance of number in Palaeolithic times through Eastern and European...

Studies have shown that paranormal belief is correlated with numerous variables, including schizotypy and transliminality. The current study aimed to examine (a) the role of transliminality in understanding variability in paranormal belief and (b) whether transpersonal self-expansiveness improved the prediction of paranormal belief after accounting...

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of studies published be...

A defining aspect of Spiritual Emergency (SE) is ‘psychic opening’ which may predict psi performance. This study tested paranormal (psi) performance of individuals who have or have had experiences of spiritual emergency (i.e., ‘SE-Experients’), and compared their performance against controls. The study also assessed psychological aspects of SE to d...

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of peer-reviewed studie...

This brief study presents the accumulated evidence for a range of meta-analyses on nonlocal (anomalous) perception (a.k.a. a communication anomaly) conducted between 1935 and 2020. What emerged from thirteen meta-analyses related to six different states of consciousness, is a more than tenfold gap in effect size (ES), ranging from the lowest ES for...

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of peer-reviewed studie...

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of peer-reviewed studie...

We report the results of an update to the meta-analysis by Storm, Tressoldi, and Di Risio (2010). Three types of free-response design were assessed: (i) ganzfeld (a technique that enhances a communication anomaly referred to as ‘psi’); (ii) nonganzfeld noise reduction using alleged psi-enhancing techniques (e.g., dreaming, hypnosis, relaxation, and...

This pilot study examined the relationship between paranormal belief and gambling attitudes and behaviours, and thus extends previous research on informedness in relation to paranormal beliefs (Storm, Drinkwater, & Jinks, 2017).

A psi-conducive altered state of consciousness can be induced through a shamanic-like journeying protocol in accordance with the Imagery Cultivation (IC) model proposed by Storm and Rock (2009a). Storm and Rock (2009b) found that the protocol helped cultivate psi-related mental imagery (see also Rock et al., 2012). Alternatively, it is hypothesized...

This study examined the degree to which paranormal believers, who profess ‘strong’ belief in the popular expression of a topic known as the primary item (e.g., Psychics possess a mysterious ability to know things about a person’s past and future), disagree with related items and/or the putative ‘cause’ of the topic, known as secondary items (e.g.,...

In order to further our understanding about the limits of human consciousness and the dream state, we report meta-analytic results on experimental dream-ESP studies for the period 1966 to 2016. Dream-ESP can be defined as a form of extra-sensory perception (ESP) in which a dreaming perceiver ostensibly gains information about a randomly selected ta...

This study examined the degree to which paranormal believers, who profess 'strong' belief in the popular expression of a topic known as the primary item (e.g., Psychics possess a mysterious ability to know things about a person's past and future), disagree with related items and/or the putative 'cause' of the topic, known as secondary items (e.g.,...

Rock, A. J., & Storm, L. (2015). Testing Telepathy in the Medium/Proxy-Sitter Dyad: A Protocol Focusing on the Source-of-Psi Problem. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 29(4), 565–584.

Numerous mediumship studies (e.g., Beischel & Schwartz 2007, Kelly & Arcangel 2011, Rock, Beischel, Boccuzzi, & Biuso 2014) have reported statistically significant results, thus suggesting that various contemporary mediums are able to demonstrate anomalous information reception (AIR) under laboratory conditions. Importantly, however, such studies a...

This chapter provides an introduction to parapsychology for transpersonal scientists, practitioners, and students. Parapsychologists have created taxonomy (classification system) of psi experiences. The chapter talks about phenomena such as extrasensory perception (ESP), psychokinesis (PK), and life after death. Historically, psi has often been ass...

C.G. Jung proposed that archetypal symbols carry implicit meanings. We therefore hypothesised that symbol cueing facilitates memory and subsequent recall of meaning words associated with symbols. In the present study, participants either freely generated, or selected from a list, one meaning word for each of 30 symbols presented on screen. As expec...

Rouder, Morey, and Province (2013) stated that (a) the evidence-based case for psi in Storm, Tressoldi, and Di Risio's (2010) meta-analysis is supported only by a number of studies that used manual randomization, and (b) when these studies are excluded so that only investigations using automatic randomization are evaluated (and some additional stud...

Storm and Rock’s imagery cultivation (IC) model regards shamanic-like techniques as being psi-conducive, with the alleged psi signal being somehow embedded in the cultivated imagery. In the first replication study, hit rates were above chance (not significantly) in all three shamanic-like conditions, and below chance in the control condition. In th...

According to Reactance Theory (Brehm & Brehm 1981), when an individual's freedom is threatened through some form of coercion, reactance usually sets in. Reactance is "a motivational state aimed at restoring the threatened freedom" (Silvia 2005:277), which may explain the tendency for believers ('sheep') to psi-hit and non-believers ('goats') to psi...

In a previous study (Storm, Ertel, & Rock, 2013), we demonstrated that Ertel's (2005b,c) Ball Selection Test (a.k.a. the Ball Test) can be used to test Reactance Theory (Brehm & Brehm, 1981), and the Sheep-Goat Effect (SGE; the tendency for believers ['sheep'] to psi-hit and non-believers ['goats'] to psi-miss). The Ball Test is a forced-choice psi...

It is pertinent to explore stimulus conditions that might produce psi effects at least as strong as those elicited in the ganzfeld condition, particularly if those stimulus conditions are less complex than the ganzfeld. Consequently, Storm and Rock developed an imagery cultivation (IC) model, which considers shamaniclike techniques to be psi-conduc...

We report the results of a meta-analysis on forced-choice ESP studies which used targets such as card symbols, numbers, letters, and so forth. For the period 1987 to 2010, a homogeneous dataset of 72 forced-choice studies yielded a weak but significant mean effect size (ES) of 0.01 (Stouffer Z = 4.86, p = 5.90 x 10-7). There was no evidence that th...

Historically, transpersonal experience has been linked to paranormal or anomalous experience (i.e., psi, such as telepathy, psychokinesis, clairvoyance). In parapsychology, the Ganzfeld (i.e., a homogeneous visual and auditory field) is arguably the most widely used ostensibly psiconducive technique. However, one area of shared interest in parapsyc...

Previous research has demonstrated the effects of ostensible subtle energy on physical systems and subjective experience. However, one subtle energy technique that has been neglected, despite anecdotal support for its efficacy, is Quantum BioEnergetics (QBE). Furthermore, the influence of paranormal belief and experience (either real belief/experie...

The possibility that information can be acquired at a distance without the use of the ordinary senses, that is by “extrasensory perception” (ESP), is not easily accommodated by conventional neuroscientific assumptions or by traditional theories underlying our understanding of perception and cognition. The lack of theoretical support has marginalize...

Reports an error in "Meta-analysis of free-response studies, 1992-2008: Assessing the noise reduction model in parapsychology" by Lance Storm, Patrizio E. Tressoldi and Lorenzo Di Risio (Psychological Bulletin, 2010[Jul], Vol 136[4], 471-485). In the article, the second to last sentence of the abstract (p. 471) was stated incorrectly. The sentence...

We report the results of meta-analyses on 3 types of free-response study: (a) ganzfeld (a technique that enhances a communication anomaly referred to as “psi”); (b) nonganzfeld noise reduction using alleged psi-enhancing techniques such as dream psi, meditation, relaxation, or hypnosis; and (c) standard free response (nonganzfeld, no noise reductio...

In our article (Storm, Tressoldi, & Di Risio, 2010), we claimed that the ganzfeld experimental design has proved to be consistent and reliable. However, Hyman (2010) argues that the overall evidence for psi is, in fact, contradictory and elusive. We present a case for psi research that undermines Hyman's argument. First, we give examples from parap...

Storm and Rock (2009a) argued that it would be worthwhile investigating psi-conducive treatments other than the Ganzfeld. We thus proposed our imagery cultivation model. To test our model, Storm and Rock (2009b) randomly assigned non-shaman participants (N = 108) to one of two conditions: (1) a control condition (n = 53) consisting of sitting quiet...

A quantitative observational study was undertaken to examine the relationship between individual factors and level of gambling involvement, in particular problem gambling (PG). The specific factors under study were personality, perceived luck, and attitudes towards gambling. A sample of university students (N = 185) completed a battery of questionn...

Historically, psi effects have been linked to altered states of consciousness (ASCs; Bem & Honorton, 1994). In this context, arguably the most widely used technique is the Ganzfeld. However, in recent times, scholars (e.g., Alvarado, 1998; Braud, 2005; Scimeca, Boca, & Iannuzzo, 2001) have formulated cogent arguments that cast doubt on whether the...

In six studies on the I Ching - an ancient Chinese system of divination - successful predictions of first- and second-hexagrams (i.e., hexagram hitting) based on pre-selections of corresponding descriptor-pairs have ranged from chance, to significantly above chance. No significant effect below chance has ever been found. Hexagram hitting has been p...

In a previous article (Storm & Rock, 2009) we proposed an imagery cultivation model to be at least as psi-conducive as the Ganzfeld, based on anthropological and parapsychological claims concerning alleged psi effects during shamanic practices. Imagery cultivation is associated with shamanic states during which state the percipient actively propaga...

A replication study of an earlier study by Storm and Thalbourne (2001) was conducted to test the hypothesis that blind people com-pensate for their impairment by developing superior psi ability com-pared to sighted people. Participants had to describe a concealed line drawing (target), and then rank four drawings (1 target + 3 decoys) from 'most li...

Statistical evidence was sought that an anomalous effect might be involved in the ancient Chinese system of divination known as the I Ching. The I Ching user throws 3 coins 6 times, to generate 1 of 64 possible 6-line symbols (or hexagrams) and then consults the associated divinatory reading. Initial studies by Storm and Thalbourne (1998-1999, 2001...

The present article completes the two-part review on meta-analyses in parapsychology (for Part I, see L. Storm, 2006). The reviewed literature other than ganzfeld/autoganzfeld studies, includes meta-analyses on: (i) biological systems (DMILS), (ii) forced-choice ESP, (iii) free-response ESP, (iv) dice-throwing, (v) micro-PK (RNG), and (vi) dream-ps...

A computerized symbol-identifying experiment was conducted to test Thalbourne's (2004) concept of the ''pro attitude'' (an attitude towards a favorable outcome in a normal or paranormal task). Participants were required to identify the correct symbols randomly presented on computer in a run of 50 trials. Skeptics were given a second run. After each...

Remote Viewing (RV) using a multiple-agent/multiple-percipient design was attempted by a team of professional and amateur paranormal investigators. The study was divided into 2 stages. Each stage consisted of 2 parts: (a) a single-agent mode and (b) a multiple-agent mode. It was hypothesized that a committee of 3 agents would produce a stronger RV...

The I Ching system of divination has featured in parapsychological experimentation in two studies by Storm and Thalbourne (1998-1999; 2001a,b), and two studies by Storm (2002a,b; 2003). In their (Storm & Thalbourne, 1998-1999) initial study, various psi effects were found, but no attempt was made to explain the theoretical principle underlying thes...

Responds to the comments of J. Milton and R. Wiseman (see record 2001-17499-008) concerning the authors' article (see record 2001-17499-007) criticizing Milton's and Wiseman's study (see record 1999-05876-001) based on the meta-analysis of D. Bem and C. Honorton (1994), which yielded evidence that the ganzfeld is a suitable method for demonstrat...

L. Storm and M. A. Thalbourne (1998-1999) carried out an experiment (N = 93) with the Chinese book of divination the I Ching (J. Blofeld, 1968), which contains 64 hexagrams (6-line structures) and associated readings. Three coins are thrown 6 times to generate 1 of these hexagrams. Participants selected 16 of 64 hexagram -descriptor pairs, based on...

J. Milton and R. Wiseman (1999) attempted to replicate D. Bem and C. Honorton's (1994) meta-analysis, which yielded evidence that the ganzfeld is a suitable method for demonstrating anomalous communication. Using a database of 30 ganzfeld and autoganzfeld studies, Milton and Wiseman's meta-analysis yielded an effect size (ES) of only 0.013 (Stouffe...

The concept of transliminality ("a hypothesized tendency for psychological material to cross thresholds into or out of consciousness") was anticipated by William James (1902/1982), but it was only recently given an empirical definition by Thalbourne in terms of a 29-item Transliminality Scale. This article presents the 17-item Revised Transliminali...

An experiment on exosomatic psychopraxia was conducted in which 42 wholly or partially blind participants were matched for age and sex with 42 sighted participants. The experimental task was to describe, paranormally, a randomly selected drawing concealed in aluminium foil and a manila envelope. Every second participant was assigned to a relaxation...

Using the Chinese book of divination, the I Ching, L. Storm and M. A. Thalbourne (1998-1999) tested 93 participants on 2 paranormal tasks: (a) the hexagram task (participants selected 16 descriptor-pairs out of 64 according to the statement: "Lately, or right now, I feel . . ." [P MCE = .25]; participants then threw 3 coins 6 times to generate an o...

Offers alternative interpretations of the ganzfeld debate using databases from previous studies. J. Milton and R. Wiseman presented an up-to-date meta-analysis of 30 ganzfeld studies dating from 1987. They found a nonsignificant mean effect size which did not replicate D. J. Bem and C. Honorton's significant result. Milton then found another 12 gan...

The traditional view in parapsycholog y is that ESP and PK are separate and distinct categories of psi. However, M. A. Thalbourne's (1982, in press) theory of psychopraxia is put forward as an alternative interpretation of the paranormal that assumes there is no necessity for making that distinction. Central to this theory are 4 components: the sel...

Much criticism has been leveled at C. G. Jung's theory of synchronicity, usually as a result of misunderstanding certain key, but often obscure, concepts used by Jung in his major essay Synchronicity (1960). The issues of meaningfulness, causality, and acausality are discussed, since synchronicity is by definition "a coincidence in time of two or m...

Transliminality is currently defined as "the hypothesised tendency for psychological material to cross thresholds into or out of consciousness" (Thalbourne & Houran, 1999). It was hypothesised that transliminality represented a psychological process that might function as a connecting principle between paranormal effects and other personality varia...

The present article is a review of the ganzfeld meta-analytic literature. It is found that significant results were obtained in all but one ganzfeld meta-analysis─that of J. Milton and R. Wiseman (1999). However, with combinatorial re-construction of the available databases and the uncovering of 11 studies overlooked by Milton and Wiseman, L. Storm...

The Chinese book of divination , the I Ching , has been used in two studies that featured an unorthodox use of the system (L. Storm & M. A. Thalbourne, 1998-1999, 2001a). Both studies (N1 = 93; N2 = 107), tested participants on 2 paranormal tasks using 3 coins: (a) generation of a hexagram (a six-line symbol with associated reading or 'fortune'), a...