Shamanism, imagery cultivation, and psi-signal detection: a theoretical model, experimental protocol, and preliminary data

Abstract

Historically, transpersonal experience has been linked to paranormal or anomalous experience (i.e., psi, such as telepathy, psychokinesis, clairvoyance). In parapsychology, the Ganzfeld (i.e., a homogeneous visual and auditory field) is arguably the most widely used ostensibly psiconducive technique. However, one area of shared interest in parapsychology and transpersonal psychology is shamanic experience (see Daniels, 2005). Based on anthropological and parapsychological claims concerning alleged psi effects during shamanic practices, we (Storm & Rock, 2009a) proposed an imagery cultivation (IC) model, which encourages ostensibly psi-conducive cognitive activity during a shamanic-like journeying procedure rather than the mental quietude promoted by the Ganzfeld noise-reduction model. In this paper we outline our IC model and describe an experimental protocol designed to test that model. Our recent empirical tests of the model (Rock, Storm, Harris, & Friedman, 2012; Storm & Rock, 2009b) are also reviewed. Finally, various directions for future research are proposed.