Álex Escolà-Gascón
Comillas Pontifical University, Vatican City State
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Introduction: The present report aims to review and justify the mathematical proposal for the use of a three-parameter logistic model (3PL) belonging to formal item response theory (IRT) in the measurement of anomalous cognitions (also called psi phenomena). Specifically, through demonstrations on how to estimate the a, b and c parameters of IRT, a new equation (called c factor or CF) is developed to measure the number of deviations of the probability associated with the level of aptitude (score θi) from the conditional probability of obtaining random hits Pj(cj) and the complementary probability 1-Pj(cj) of making correct answers assuming that the assessed aptitude (in this context, the anomalous cognitions) intervenes. The new equation allows identification of when the presumed psychic ability or anomalous cognition may have occurred. This report offers the foundation on how to calculate CF mathematically and obtain it for its application, not only in anomalous cognition experiments, but also as a new innovative indicator that aims to foster advances in the measurement of any type of cognitive ability.
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Dr. Álex Escolà-Gascón holds degrees in Psychology and Statistics from Ramon Llull, Complutense, and Autonomous Madrid Universities, along with a Ph.D. in Statistical Modeling. He has been awarded competitive grants from the European Union (EU), the Catalan Government, and CaixaBank, and his research is published in top JCR journals. He is a full professor at Comillas Pontifical University, under the Holy See, Vatican City State. His research spans applied psychometrics, anomalistic psychology, consciousness studies, educational psychology, and environmental psychology.
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The Parapsychological Association is an international professional organization of scientists and scholars engaged in the study of psi (or ‘psychic’) experiences, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, psychic healing, and precognition. The primary objective of the PA is to achieve a scientific understanding of these experiences.
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Published on October 9, 2025
