Эффект экспериментатора в парапсихологических исследованиях

This paper outlines the types of experimenter effects that occur in parapsychological research. A distinction is drawn between those effects that seem to be mediated by psychological variables and those that result from extrasensory processes. The term ‘psi experimenter effect’ is introduced to refer to unintentional psi which affects experimental outcomes in ways that are directly related to the experimenter’s needs, wishes, expectancies, or moods. Several channels for the operation of psi experimenter effects are discussed, as well as numerous studies which support their existence. A review of the literature suggests that experimenter PK can influence laboratory investigations of psychokinesis and precognition. In addition, psi experimenter effects are indicated in studies showing variations in the subjects’ reactions to different experimenters and in studies involving unintentional psi tasks.