03105195 11: 25 V202 334 2201 CBASSE EXEC OFF
Approved For Release 2003104118: CIA-RDP96-00791 R000200030006-8
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
ID002
COMMISSION ON BEHAVIORAL AMD SOCIAL SCIENCES AND EDUCA-17ION
2101 CorWiLudortAvunum Wa4rhington, D.C. 20418
01TICI: 017 TnE EXECUTM DMECTOR TET E?ticNa (2o2).,n4-2-vA1
May 5, 1995 FAX: (202) 334-2201
SG1 I
Office of Research and
Ames Building, Room 846
Washington, D.C. 20505
SG1 B Fax:
SG1 I I
Development, CIA
We appreciate your thinking of the National Research Council (NRC) in
terms of evaluating your remote viawing studies. As you know, we did a very
thorough look at a number of paranotmal phenomena in a study entitled
Enhancing Human Performance, Issues Theories and Technigueg published by the
National Academy Press in 1988.
one section of that report was entitled "SclenLiric Assessment of Remote
Viewing" beginning on p. 178. The report reviewed the major studies and
concluded:
"In summary, after approximately 15 years of claims and sometimes bitter
controversy, the literature on remote viewing has managed to produce
only one possibly successful experiment LhaL is not seriously flawed in
its methodology - and thaL one experiment proviclas only marFinal
evidence for the existence of ESF. By both scientific and
parapsychological standards, then, the case for remote viewing is not
just very weak, but virtually nonexistent. It seems that the preeminent
position that remote viewing occupies in the mind-q of many proponents
results from the highly exaggerated claims made for the early
experiments, as well as rho subjectively compelling, but illusory,
correspondences that experimenters and participants find betwaan
components of the descriptions and the target sites.,,
The comparative advantage of the NRG is in evaluating a field of
research. To put the machinery of the NRC committee process into place for
the.evaluation of a limited set of studies docs not seem warranted so soon
after the last report. What I hope is that our recent report will he helpful
in guiding your own assessment of remote viewing studies.
Please let me know if I can be of help.
Knc ely,
e Tor
arbara Boyl
B
ray
cc: John Swets
Sandy Wigdor
Dan Drualcman
Mme,ww"Itfifff a;d dillar