Current Research:
Survival of Consciousness Research

An Introduction to Survival Research
Historically, although "the concept of survival was basic for the beginning and development of such key moments in the history of parapsychology as the early work of the Society for Psychical Research and the work of J.B. Rhine and his associates at Duke University" (Alvarado 2003, p. 68), progress in the quantitative evaluation of the information provided by mediums "has been slow compared to developments in other areas of parapsychological research" (Schouten 1994, p. 223). "Since interest shifted towards psychic abilities such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition in the 1930s, scientific research into mediumship has steadily declined" (Fontana 2005, p. 226). Furthermore, several authors have commented that historical mediumship research lacked the proper research design, statistical power, and elimination of potential sources of error for current researchers to value even "positive" studies (Lester 2005, p. 210; Schouten 1994, p. 245; Scott 1972, p. 88).

Despite the obstacles encountered by historical mediumship research, the studies performed in the last decade do generally confirm and extend the conclusions from those performed over the last century: certain mediums can report accurate and specific information about the deceased loved ones (termed discarnates) of living people (termed sitters) even without any prior knowledge about the sitters or the discarnates and in the absence of any feedback-a phenomenon called "anomalous information reception" (see Beischel 2007). Moreover, the accuracy of the information cannot be explained as a result of fraud or "cold reading" (a set of techniques used by psychic entertainers in which feedback from the sitter is used to fabricate "accurate" readings).

The source of the information as well as the details of the mediumship process, however, are still not well-understood. We still do not know:

- Do mediums get their information telepathically/psychically or are they communicating with the deceased?

- Does participating in a mediumship reading help in the grief recovery process?

- Is a medium's neurophysiology different than a non-medium's?

- Can mediumship be learned?

- What is the afterlife like?

In addition, controlled research involving communication with the deceased without the aid of mediums is just beginning. For example:

- Do measurable changes occur in the environment when a discarnate is present?

- Can any measurable changes be translated into technologies allowing the deceased to communicate with us?

These and similar questions can only be answered with further research. For more information, click here.

Current Survival Research at Windbridge

At Windbridge, the principal methods for carrying out survival of consciousness research include:

1) Investigating technologies that may be useful in enhancing interaction and communication with deceased individuals,

2) Addressing reports of haunting and apparition phenomena using both field and laboratory methods, and

3) Studying mediums (individuals who experience regular communication with the deceased) and the information they report as well as their experiences during the communication. Windbridge screens, trains, and certifies the mediums who participate in research using a multi-step process that takes each medium several months to complete. Click here for more information.

At this time, we are engaged in proof-focused studies investigating mediums and the information they report as well as qualitative and quantitative examinations of the mediums' experiences (i.e., phenomenological analysis) during communication with the deceased. We are also very interested in the possible practical applications of mediumship readings and information in the fields of hospice care and grief recovery.

References
Alvarado C. The concept of survival of bodily death and the development of parapsychology. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. 2003; 67.2(871): 65-95.

Beischel J, Schwartz GE. Anomalous information reception by research mediums demonstrated using a novel triple-blind protocol. EXPLORE: The Journal of Science & Healing. 2007; 3(1): 23-27. [Link opens a PDF document in a new window]

Fontana D. Is There an Afterlife? A Comprehensive Overview of the Evidence. Oakland, CA: O Books; 2005.

Lester D. Is There Life After Death? An Examination of the Empirical Evidence. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc.; 2005.

Rock, A. J., Beischel, J., & Schwartz, G. E. (2008). Thematic analysis of research mediums' experiences of discarnate communication. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 22(2): 179-192.
[Link opens a PDF document in a new window]

Schouten SA. An overview of quantitatively evaluated studies with mediums and psychics. The Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research. 1994; 88: 221-54.

Scott C. On the evaluation of verbal material in parapsychology: A discussion of Dr. Pratt's monograph. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. 1972; 46(752): 79-90.

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