A Novel Approach to Enhance Sensitivity in the Analysis of
Free Response Ganzfeld Experiments
Michael J. Daw, Walter M. Gregory, & Chris A. Roe
University of Northampton
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Adrian Parker (2017) suggests that the ganzfeld is the “flagship of experimental parapsychology” in that it seems to produce reliable, repeatable psi effects. Ganzfeld is intended to induce in participants a mild altered state of consciousness leading to increased mental imagery, and so be more conducive to psi experiences (e.g., Roe, 2009).
Experience with the ganzfeld shows that not every participant enters an altered state of consciousness. Nevertheless, all participants contribute equally to an experiment’s results. In light of this, we present a novel approach to the analysis of such experiments that involves systematically removing the “noise” caused by those trials that seem not to be manifesting a psi effect. We provide here a reanalysis based on this approach of two previous experiments with results apparently showing increased sensitivity to psi.
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Dr Michael Daw is based at the University of Northampton, UK. His research focuses on the relationship between vegetarianism and fasting, and spirituality and psi, and on the nature of consciousness. In 2024, with one of the co-authors Prof Chris Roe, he won first prize in the Institute of Noetic Sciences’ essay competition reviewing theories of non-local consciousness.
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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 November 8, 2026
