Shamanic-like journeying and psi-signal detection: II. Phenomenological dimensions

Abstract

Storm and Rock's imagery cultivation (IC) model regards shamanic-like techniques as being psi conducive, with the alleged psi signal being somehow embedded in the cultivated imagery. In the first replication study, hit rates were above chance (not significantly) in all three shamanic-like conditions, and below chance in the control condition. In the present study, we aimed to replicate these findings with regards to phenomenological correlates of psi performance and phenomenological differences between stimulus conditions. While the present study failed to replicate the results of Rock and Storm, post hoc analyses demonstrated that, for the instructions + drumming group, direct hits were significantly positively correlated with altered time sense, altered perception, and altered experience; and significantly negatively correlated with memory. In addition, an analysis of phenomenological data revealed that the treatment groups reported an "altered state of consciousness" relative to the control group. Our findings suggest that phenomenology can be changed using a shamanic-like journeying treatment, and these changes are conducive to the generation of source material that can be an aid to psi processes.