UC Davis statistician analyzes validity of paranormal predictions

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UC Davis statistician analyzes validity of paranormal predictions

By: JENNIFER WOLF
Issue date: 9/10/07 Section: Science & Tech

"The evidence for [remote viewing] is much stronger than [aspirin preventing heart attacks] and yet we have people taking aspirin everyday to try to prevent heart attacks," Utts said. "People aren't willing to either look at this evidence or aren't willing to believe it when they see it."

Utts' study of paranormal activity should not be dismissed, said Keith Widaman, UCD professor of psychology and chair of the department.

"The way [Utts] is analyzing and portraying the data sounds reasonable," he said. "Most psychologists would say, 'Those things have never stood up,' but that doesn't mean [that] we should automatically [react the same]. What it means is, there's something here that deserves attention and it's an interesting hypothesis. It would be interesting to see if it holds up."

In 2005, Utts taught a class for the integrated studies honors program, "Testing Psychic Claims," in which Kyle Davis, senior biological sciences major, conducted an experiment using a random number generator.

Each test subject played rock-paper-scissors against the random numbers presented in the study, he said.

"We came up with significant data," Davis said. "It made us re-think it a little bit. [Utts] provided a number of examples where it wasn't probable by chance alone, so something else had to explain it to a degree."

Davis was doubtful of the field of parapsychology before the class and is still unsure, he said.

"I'm still leaning a little bit on the skeptic side, but I see where more study is needed to convince me either way," Davis said. "So I'd say, yeah, I think [parapsychology] is a valid field and that we need to learn more about it before we can say one thing in either direction."

Utts presented statistics in a straightforward manner for Nick Schroeder, senior international relations major, he said.

"I entered the class a skeptic, and I stayed a skeptic," Schroeder said. "I learned a lot about the statistical analysis of 'psi.' The statistical data presented to us suggests that there is something metaphysical, but no one knows what it is."

Utts is currently working with Ellen Gold, chair of the department of epidemiology and preventive medicine at the UCD School of Medicine, analyzing data in the use of alternative and complementary medicine among women going through menopause, she said.