Scientific research on mediumship and mediums has explored the phenomenon from various perspectives, including psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, and parapsychology. Below is a summary of notable studies and researchers who have examined mediumship scientifically:
1. Julie Beischel, Ph.D. – Veritas Research Program
- Research Focus: Dr. Julie Beischel, through the Windbridge Research Center, has conducted rigorous studies on the accuracy and process of mediumship. Her research involves controlled experiments to test whether mediums can provide accurate information about deceased individuals without prior knowledge.
- Study Example: Beischel and Schwartz (2007) in Journal of Parapsychology conducted double-blind experiments where mediums provided information about deceased individuals without knowing the sitters. The study found statistically significant evidence of accuracy beyond chance.
- Impact: Her work suggests that some mediums demonstrate anomalous information reception (AIR), a term for acquiring accurate information without conventional means.
2. Gary Schwartz, Ph.D. – Afterlife Experiments
- Research Focus: Dr. Gary Schwartz at the University of Arizona conducted experiments on mediumship under controlled conditions to test whether mediums could provide accurate readings.
- Study Example: Schwartz’s book, The Afterlife Experiments, describes laboratory studies in which mediums provided detailed information under blinded conditions. His findings indicated that certain mediums performed significantly better than chance.
- Criticism: While his findings are compelling, critics argue about the methodologies and potential for experimenter bias.
3. Neuroimaging and Mediumship – Peres et al. (2012)
- Research Focus: This study examined the brain activity of mediums during trance states using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
- Findings: Published in PLoS ONE, the study revealed that mediums in trance states showed decreased activity in areas of the brain related to planning and decision-making, suggesting altered states of consciousness.
- Impact: This supports the hypothesis that mediumship involves distinct cognitive processes, possibly linked to flow states or dissociation.
4. Anthropological Perspectives – Edith Turner
- Research Focus: Turner studied the cultural and spiritual practices of mediumship in indigenous communities.
- Findings: In her book The Spirit and the Drum, she described mediumship as a deeply embedded cultural practice that helps communities connect with ancestors and spirits.
- Impact: Her work highlights the significance of mediumship as a sociocultural phenomenon rather than purely a psychological or paranormal event.
5. Chris Roe, Ph.D. – Mediumship and Psychology
- Research Focus: Roe has conducted studies on the psychological profiles of mediums, focusing on traits such as dissociation, openness to experience, and absorption.
- Study Example: In a study published in the Journal of Parapsychology (2013), Roe explored the cognitive and personality characteristics of mediums and found they often exhibit high absorption, a trait linked to focus and vivid imagination.
- Impact: His research emphasizes understanding the psychological foundations of mediumship experiences.
6. Emily Williams Kelly – Cognitive Studies
- Research Focus: Dr. Kelly at the University of Virginia has explored how mediums access information, particularly cases involving veridical perceptions during near-death and mediumistic experiences.
- Study Example: In her contributions to Irreducible Mind, she analyzed case studies where mediums reported verifiable details about deceased individuals.
- Impact: Her work bridges mediumship with consciousness studies, exploring the boundaries of mind and memory.
7. Haraldsson and Houtkooper (1991) – Accuracy of Mediumship
- Research Focus: This study evaluated the accuracy of mediumistic readings through statistical analysis.
- Findings: Published in the Journal of Parapsychology, the researchers found that mediums produced information beyond what could be attributed to chance when compared to control groups.
- Impact: The study contributed to the evidence base for mediumship as a potential psi phenomenon.
8. Paranormal Beliefs and Mediumship – O’Keeffe and Wiseman (2005)
- Research Focus: This study critically assessed mediumship claims by examining how sitter feedback influenced readings.
- Findings: Published in British Journal of Psychology, the study argued that much of the perceived accuracy in readings could result from cold reading and sitter bias.
- Impact: This research underscores the importance of stringent experimental controls in mediumship studies.
9. Transpersonal Psychology – Stanley Krippner
- Research Focus: Krippner explored mediumship as part of transpersonal experiences, examining how altered states of consciousness contribute to spiritual insights.
- Findings: His work suggests that mediumistic experiences can be therapeutic and transformative, providing psychological benefits to sitters.
- Impact: This reframes mediumship as a psychological and spiritual tool rather than solely a paranormal phenomenon.
10. Parapsychology and Mediumship – SPR Research
- Research Focus: The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) has studied mediumship since its founding in 1882.
- Notable Studies: The SPR has documented case studies of mediums like Leonora Piper, who provided verifiable information under controlled conditions.
- Impact: Their historical work laid the foundation for modern scientific investigations into mediumship.
Key Themes from Research
- Accuracy Studies: Controlled experiments often find results beyond chance, though skepticism remains about methodologies.
- Psychological Characteristics: Mediums tend to exhibit specific traits like dissociation and high absorption.
- Cultural Context: Mediumship’s role varies across cultures, often serving therapeutic or community functions.
- Neuroscientific Insights: Brain studies suggest mediumship involves unique neural processes linked to altered states.
These studies collectively reflect a growing but controversial scientific interest in mediumship, balancing empirical scrutiny with open-minded exploration.