Abstract

In the 1920s and 1930s interest in spontaneous cases decreased among psychical researchers, who turned increasingly to experimental work in an apparent desire to imitate experimental psychology and other branches of science amenable to experimental controls. However, experiments have not led to acceptance of parapsychology by other scientists, nor have they greatly increased understanding of paranormal processes. On the contrary, 1-sided emphasis on experiments may have hindered the study of paranormal processes. Biologists have discovered the importance of naturalistic observations in their field, and it is suggested that parapsychologists should follow their lead. The next generation of investigators should develop a more balanced program of research that will draw new information from both experiments and spontaneous cases.