Abstract

Discusses psi research in the 1980's, noting that parapsychologists are now focusing on precise definitions of psi effects and the identification of conditions conducive to their reliable manifestation. Many contend that certain psi effects have achieved a level of replicability exceeding what would be expected by chance. Meta-analysis has been used to assess replication rates and to evaluate the consistency of 1st-order relationships between psi scores, predominantly ESP scores, and measures of psychological variables. Meta-analysis may also be used to determine what procedural characteristics distinguish psi experiments that succeed in obtaining significant results from those that fail. It is argued that one of the most important theoretical developments in psi research has been the assumption that psi can occur without conscious effort on the part of the psi source to produce it and without awareness of what needs to be accomplished to produce it. Implications of this assumption are discussed. (22 ref)