Anomalous Information Reception by Research Mediums Under Blinded Conditions II: Replication and Extension

Abstract

Context: The examination of the accuracy and specificity of information reported by mediums addresses the existence of non-local information transfer. Objective: This study was designed to replicate and extend a previous methodology achieving positive findings regarding the anomalous reception of information about deceased individuals by research mediums under experimental conditions that eliminate conventional explanations,including cold reading,rater bias,experimenter cueing,and fraud. Design: Mediumship readings were performed over the phone under blinded conditions in which mediums,raters, and experimenters were all blinded. Participants: A total of 20 Windbridge Certified Research Mediums WCRMs participated in 86 readings. Main Outcome Measures: Accuracy and specificity were assessed through item scores, global reading scores, and forced-choice selections provided by blinded sitters. Results: (1) Comparisons between blinded target and decoy readings regarding the estimated percentage accuracy of reading items (n = 27, P = .05, d = 0.49), (2) comparisons regarding the calculated percentage accuracy of reading items (n = 31, P = .002, d = 0.75), (3) comparisons regarding hits vs. misses (n = 31, P < .0001 and P = .002 for different reading sections), (4) comparisons regarding global scores (n = 58, P = .001, d = 0.57), and (5) forced-choice reading selections between blinded target and decoy readings (n = 58, P = .01) successfully replicate and extend previous findings demonstrating the phenomenon of anomalous information reception (AIR), the reporting of accurate and specific information without prior knowledge, in the absence of sensory feedback, and without using deceptive means. Because the experimental conditions of this study eliminated normal, sensory sources for the information mediums report, a non-local source (however controversial) remains the most likely explanation for the accuracy and specificity of their statements.