Abstract

For the increasing numbers of cases of the reincarnation type, unreliable testimony (paramnesia on the part of informants) is emerging as the most likely interpretation of the cases alternative to reincarnation. Although there are grounds for thinking that paramnesia on the part of the informants is not preferable to reincarnation for many cases, greater efforts should be made to eliminate it completely. It can be excluded in a small number of cases in which a written record is made of what the Ss said before the 2 families concerned in a case met. Probably more cases of this important type can be found when funds permit the deployment of a larger number of field investigators. (3 ref)