Why Most Research Findings About Psi Are False: The Replicability Crisis, the Psi Paradox and the Myth of Sisyphus
Frontiers in Psychology September 18, 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.562992 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe replicability crisis in psychology was influenced by nine experiments that were presented as evidence for precognition. This paper argues that the debate around those experiments offers an opportunity to develop original thinking about psychology and replicability. After discussing psi and scientific epistemology, the authors describe a paradox that questions the suitability of the scientific method for psi research, highlighting problems in how such experiments are conducted and potential consequences for mainstream psychology. Two classical experiments—the Ganzfeld protocol and the Bem studies—are analyzed to illustrate the paradox. Mainstream research is examined in the context of the replication crisis, decline effect, and questionable research practices. The conclusion proposes future research directions and emphasizes the heuristic value of psi studies for psychology.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Mainstream Mythology Context archaeology Psychological research Epistemology |
| Citations | 38 |
| Key finding | Argues that the debate over Bem's precognition experiments can foster original thinking about psychology and replicability, highlighting a paradox in psi research that questions the scientific method's appropriateness. |
Abstract
The replicability crisis in psychology has been influenced by the results of nine experiments conducted by Bem (2011) and presented as supporting the existence of precognition. In this paper, we hope to show how the debate concerning these experiments could be an opportunity to develop original thinking about psychology and replicability. After a few preliminary remarks about psi and scientific epistemology, we examine how psi results lead to a paradox which questions how appropriate the scientific method is to psi research. This paradox highlights a problem in the way experiments are conducted in psi research and its potential consequence on mainstream research in psychology. Two classical experiments - the Ganzfeld protocol and the Bem studies - are then analyzed in order to illustrate this paradox and its consequences. Mainstream research is also addressed in the broader context of the replication crisis, decline effect and questionable research practices. Several perspectives for future research are proposed in conclusion and underline the heuristic value of psi studies for psychology.