ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6404-0058
Current Organisation
Università degli Studi di Padova
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Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 23-12-2021
Abstract: We assessed the 29 winning essays of the Bigelow Institute of Consciousness Studies (BICS) contest using an evidence hierarchy approach adopted in many scientific fields. Two independent judges rated the target essays for their quality of scientific evidence, reproducibility, and replicability using an evidence hierarchy adapted from several published models that accommodate both qualitative and quantitative evidence. According to our criteria, six essays (20.7%) were categorized as the highest level of scientific evidence, four essays (13.8%) were categorized at a medium level of scientific evidence, whereas the remaining 19 essays (65.5%) were considered a low level of scientific evidence. The overall agreement of the essay rankings between the present authors’ classifications of evidence quality and the rating system used by the BICS judges was only 44.8%, with a non-significant Spearman’s rho correlation of .03. This result indicates extremely little concordance (overlap) of the two evaluation systems, which corroborates prior research on the critical shortcomings of evidence hierarchies. The essays representing the highest level of scientific evidence per our criteria involved near-death experiences and mental mediumship. For other anomalies that ostensibly support the survival hypothesis (e.g., physical mediumship or electronic voice phenomena), more studies with refined experimental designs are needed to improve their quality of evidence as defined in current scientific terms. Important considerations and future research directions are likewise discussed.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 12-11-2020
Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the results of all meta-analyses on anomalous cognition conducted between 1989 and 2021 in order to find moderators associated with greater effect sizes. Method: We included all meta-analyses of studies related to anomalous cognition published up to 2021.Results: Our dataset, accumulated over more than 80 years of investigation, refers to 11 meta-analyses related to six different states of consciousness. The evidence clearly shows that anomalous cognition seems possible and its effects can be enhanced by using a combination of some non-ordinary or altered states of consciousness (e.g., dreaming, ganzfeld, etc.), coupled with free-response procedures, or neurophysiological dependent variables. These conditions facilitate an alternative form of cognition seemingly unconstrained by the known biological characteristics of the sense organs and the brain. Conclusion: The accumulated evidence expands our understanding of the mind-brain relation and the nature of the human mind.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 22-05-2020
Abstract: We report the results of an update to the meta-analysis by Storm, Tressoldi, and Di Risio (2010). Three laboratory-based free-response designs were assessed: (i) ganzfeld (a technique proposed to enhance a communication anomaly referred to as extra-sensory perception ESP) (ii) nonganzfeld noise reduction using alleged ESP-enhancing techniques (e.g., dreaming, hypnosis, relaxation, and meditation) and (iii) standard free-response (nonganzfeld non-noise-reduction). For the period 2009 to 2018, a dataset of nine new ganzfeld studies (Category 1) yielded a mean effect size (ES) of 0.119 (where ES = z/√n) 19 new nonganzfeld noise-reduction studies (Category 2) yielded mean ES = 0.045 and 15 new standard free-response studies (Category 3) yielded mean ES = 0.050. Stouffer Z scores for all three databases were significant, but each new database was not significantly different from its respective database in Storm et al. (2010). The increased ganzfeld database (N = 38) yielded a mean ES = 0.133 the nonganzfeld noise-reduction database (N = 37) yielded mean ES = 0.072 and the standard free-response database (N = 33) yielded mean ES = 0.027. Again, Stouffer Z scores were significant. We found Category 1 had a significantly higher mean effect than Category 3, and participants who were selected for the studies (they believed in psi, or practiced, say, meditation, etc.) produced a stronger mean effect than unselected (randomly assigned) participants, but there were no differences between type of modality tested (i.e., telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition), types of target (film clips, photographs, etc.), or experimenter/laboratory. There was also no evidence of a decline effect across a 44-year period. Finally, we conducted a Bayesian analysis and found that the case for a communication anomaly using free-response designs was upheld.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.1037/A0019840
Abstract: In our article (Storm, Tressoldi, & Di Risio, 2010), we claimed that the ganzfeld experimental design has proved to be consistent and reliable. However, Hyman (2010) argues that the overall evidence for psi is, in fact, contradictory and elusive. We present a case for psi research that undermines Hyman's argument. First, we give ex les from parapsychologists who do not outrightly dismiss psi, despite appearances, but actually support it. Second, we claim that Hyman does not tell the full story about the ganzfeld meta-analytic findings and thus presents a one-sided account. Third, we argue that our meta-analysis has followed standard procedures, that we have not broken any rules but have found a communications anomaly, often referred to as psi. Though we may be in agreement that the evidence is largely statistical, the evidence suggests that concealed targets are actually identified rather than guessed. We argue that further research is necessary.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 09-2010
DOI: 10.1037/A0020840
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.1037/A0019457
Abstract: We report the results of meta-analyses on 3 types of free-response study: (a) ganzfeld (a technique that enhances a communication anomaly referred to as "psi") (b) nonganzfeld noise reduction using alleged psi-enhancing techniques such as dream psi, meditation, relaxation, or hypnosis and (c) standard free response (nonganzfeld, no noise reduction). For the period 1997-2008, a homogeneous data set of 29 ganzfeld studies yielded a mean effect size of 0.142 (Stouffer Z = 5.48, p = 2.13 x 10(-8)). A homogeneous nonganzfeld noise reduction data set of 16 studies yielded a mean effect size of 0.110 (Stouffer Z = 3.35, p = 2.08 x 10(-4)), and a homogeneous data set of 14 standard free-response studies produced a weak negative mean effect size of -0.029 (Stouffer Z = -2.29, p = .989). The mean effect size value of the ganzfeld database was significantly higher than the mean effect size of the standard free-response database but was not higher than the effect size of the nonganzfeld noise reduction database [corrected].We also found that selected participants (believers in the paranormal, meditators, etc.) had a performance advantage over unselected participants, but only if they were in the ganzfeld condition.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-11-2012
Abstract: This article presents an international perspective of the proposed changes to the DSM-5 for learning disabilities (LD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) across ten countries: Australia, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We provide perspectives of the present situation for youth with LD and youth with ADHD and describe the legislation, prevalence rates, and educational systems that serve students with disabilities in the respective countries. We also present a discussion of the expected impact of the proposed changes for the diagnosis of LD and ADHD in each country.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2012
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1037/A0029506
Abstract: Rouder, Morey, and Province (2013) stated that (a) the evidence-based case for psi in Storm, Tressoldi, and Di Risio's (2010) meta-analysis is supported only by a number of studies that used manual randomization, and (b) when these studies are excluded so that only investigations using automatic randomization are evaluated (and some additional studies previously omitted by Storm et al., 2010, are included), the evidence for psi is "unpersuasive." Rouder et al. used a Bayesian approach, and we adopted the same methodology, finding that our case is upheld. Because of recent updates and corrections, we reassessed the free-response databases of Storm et al. using a frequentist approach. We discuss and critique the assumptions and findings of Rouder et al.
No related grants have been discovered for Patrizio Tressoldi.