A Random Number Generator Experiment: The Origin of Decision Augmentation Theory.

In 1979, the research team at SRI International conducted a single random number generator (RNG) experiment. The goal was to replicate and extend the findings from a substantial literature in several ways. Sequential analysis was used to provide a two-fold increase in statistical sensitivity; two fu...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Parapsychology Vol. 85; no. 1; pp. 75 - 108
Autor principal: May, Edwin C.
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Rhine Research Center Spring2021
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:In 1979, the research team at SRI International conducted a single random number generator (RNG) experiment. The goal was to replicate and extend the findings from a substantial literature in several ways. Sequential analysis was used to provide a two-fold increase in statistical sensitivity; two fundamentally different physical random sources were used: β-decay of 147Pm and electronic noise from a well-understood silicon noise diode. Substantial engineering effort isolated these sources from environmental effects, and a quantum mechanical model accurately described the known properties of the electronic noise diode. An a priori definition of a successful outcome was more stringent than in the usual study; two participants out of seven must produce independently significant evidence of an effect. Seven participants who were screened for PK ability from a population of 17 candidates took part in the formal study. Two produced independently significant results (p ≤ 0.021 and p ≤ 0.039, respectively). While these results were consistent with those in the micro-PK literature, we report definitive evidence of no PK effects at all. Rather, the result appears to arise because of informational psi on part of the participant.