Abstract

Evidence for survival offered by mediums was formerly considered weak because of the possibility that such information might have reached the medium telepathically. It has lately been shown, however, that paranormal phenomena produced by those claiming contact with the dead differ from those produced by ESP Ss not only in the amount of detail supplied (quantitative differences) but in the kind of detail (qualitative differences). I. Stevenson's studies of possible reincarnation cases are cited: his emphasis on skills and behavioral traits which it seems the S must have carried over from a previous lifetime represents an important advance in survival research. Stevenson's interest in the "drop-in communicator" in mediumistic phenomena is reported with some skepticism. J. Rhine's theory of "super-psi" to explain survival phenomena is rejected. Studies by K. Osis of deathbed observations by physicians and nurses in the US and in India are mentioned. Research on out-of-body experiences, which has received much attention in recent years, is considered the most promising approach because it offers the best opportunity for experimental testing of survival theories. (21 ref)