A Controlled Analysis of Subjective Paranormal Experiences in Temporal Lobe Dysfunction in a Neuropsychiatric Population
2003; Rhine Research Center; Volume: 67; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0022-3387
Autores Tópico(s)Jungian Analytical Psychology
ResumoABSTRACT This research extended to a neuropsychiatric population findings by Neppe and by Persinger that subjective paranormal experiences (SPEs) are associated with temporal lobe dysfunction (TLD) in the brain. The sample consisted of 100 of Neppe's patients at the Pacific Neuropsychiatric Institute (Seattle, WA). TLD was defined as a composite of 4 diagnostic criteria: (a) symptomatology as measured by 16 TLD items from Neppe's INSET questionnaire; (b) predisposing conditions (recreational drugs, brain damage); (c) anomalous electroencephalographic activity; and (d) response to anticonvulsant drugs. SPEs were measured by questions on the INSET referring to ESP, apparitional, and out-of-body experiences. TLD criteria and SPEs were coded independently by 2 raters who were each sent portions of patient files from which information relevant to the other rater had been removed. Sixty patients classified as having TLD had significantly more SPEs than 27 patients who were not. Thirteen patients indeterminate on T LD were removed. Supplementary regression analyses revealed that this result was due entirely to symptoms (INSET) as predictor. Females reported significantly more TLD symptoms and SPEs than males, but this confound did not destroy the INSET-SPE relationship. Phone interviews of 20 patients reporting SPEs confirmed that most had at least 1 credible ESP experience. ********** Our understanding of psi from a physiological point of view would be greatly enhanced if we could pinpoint a section of the brain in which psi mediation occurs, or at least an area that plays a primary role. Such knowledge would provide at least three concrete benefits. First, by considering the functions performed by this part of the brain, we could develop more incisive insights about how psi manifests. For instance, if the area plays a crucial role in the activation of memories, credence would be lent to the hypothesis that psi occurs by activating stored memories (Roll, 1966). Second, if momentary brain could be found to correlate with the accuracy of discrete psi responses, progress could be made in predicting which particular psi responses (e.g., guesses on a card test) will prove to be correct. Third, attempts could be made through biofeedback, drugs, or other means to alter the functioning of this part of the brain to enhance psi performance. The earliest example of an exploration of the relation between subjective paranormal experiences (SPEs) and the temporal lobes is an uncontrolled study by Nelson (1970), who found that 10 of 12 trance mediums had evidence of temporal lobe instability in their electroencephalographic (EEG) readings. Subsequently, Nelson and Neppe (1980) failed to replicate these EEG findings in the population from the South African Society for Psychical Research (SASPR) studied by Neppe (see below). Roll (1977) suggested a link between epilepsy and poltergeist activity based on the fact that 22 of 92 persons regarded as the foci of such activity that he surveyed were prone to or dissociative states (p. 400). In one particularly noteworthy case (Solfvin & Roll, 1976), poltergeist outbursts appeared to alternate with seizures in a grand mal epileptic. The first controlled study to investigate the relationship between temporal lobe instability and SPEs was by Neppe (1979, 1980, 1981b, 1982, 1983d), who analyzed the SPEs reported by all members of the SASPR. He found that a core group of six members reported large numbers of SPEs according to prestipulated criteria. These persons had significantly more possible temporal lobe symptoms than a group of six control members from the same society who reported no SPEs. Data were collected from interviews and detailed questionnaires. The latter included the Neppe Temporal Lobe Questionnaire and several SPE questionnaires, derived in part from a questionnaire developed by Palmer (1979). These instruments were administered to participants verbally. …
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