Studies of the I Ching: I. A replication

Abstract

L. Storm and M. A. Thalbourne (1998-1999) carried out an experiment (N = 93) with the Chinese book of divination, the I Ching (J. Blofeld, 1968), which contains 64 hexagrams (6-line structures) and associated readings. Three coins are thrown 6 times to generate 1 of these hexagrams. Participants selected 16 of 64 hexagram-descriptor pairs, based on their emotional and/or cognitive states of mind. It was predicted that 1 of the 16 choices would come up as a "hit" ([P.sub.MCE] = .25). The proportion of hits was marginally significant. Transliminality and 6 factors on R. B. Cattell's 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF; R. B. Cattell, H. W. Eber, & M. M. Tatsuoka, 1970) correlated significantly with hitting success. Number of changing lines (given by throwing 3 heads or 3 tails) was not significantly different from chance, but number of changing lines did correlate significantly with transliminality. Number of changing lines also correlated with 5 factors on the 16PF. Finally, transliminality cor related with 5 factors on the 16PF. A replication experiment (N = 107) was conducted in 1999. Hexagram hitting was significant, but the transliminality--hitting correlation and the 6 hitting--16PF correlations were not significant. Also, the transliminality--changing lines correlation and the 5 changing--lines--16PF correlations were not significant. However, 4 transliminality--16PF correlations were significant. The successful parapsychological outcomes were interpreted according to the theory of psychopraxia (L. Storm & M. A. Thalbourne, 2000; M. A. Thalbourne, 1982, in press-a).