Abstract

Suggests reasons for the slow progress in psychical research and outlines areas of scientific advance. Research efforts in this area have been hampered by the lack of disciplinary boundaries, the paranormal aspects of the phenomena studied, and methodological problems, including the ability to be replicated. Despite these factors, more challenging findings are continuing to emerge, and the scope for both field and laboratory research is greater than ever before. Many borderline mental phenomena (such as memory enhancement under hypnosis, out-of-body experiences, subliminal perception, and lucid and induced dreams) offer fertile ground for exploration. Research in this area would benefit from parapsychological input. Random number generators, computerized protocols, and Ganzfield and hypnotic techniques may be capable of being replicated in the laboratory.