Abstract

Examined the claim that some people can see the alleged human aura. A thorough review of the relevant literature is presented, not only of parapsychology but psychology, psychiatry, and occult and traditional lore surrounding the human aura. The study involved 2 groups: an experimental group of 10 people who claimed to see the aura and a control group of 9 people not known to have seen the aura. Four 90 cm * 200 cm screens were placed in a row in a room facing the door. One experimenter guarded the participant. A trial consisted of the S standing in the doorway and guessing behind which of the screens the 2nd experimenter, who served as the target person, was hidden. The door was closed between trials while A. G. moved to the next target screen in a random order. Instructions to the experimental group were to attempt to locate A. G. by auric emanations streaming out from behind the screen where he was hidden. Each session involved 40 trials, and each group completed 18 !individual sessions, for a total of 36 sessions overall. Statistical analysis yielded nonsignificant results for both groups combined. The experimental group obtained 185 hits and the control group 196 hits.