STANFORD RESEARDH INSTITUTE (SRI) INVESTIGATION INTO PARAPSYCHOLOGY

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP96-00791R000100460001-7
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
3
Document Creation Date: 
November 4, 2016
Document Release Date: 
January 6, 2003
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
February 4, 1976
Content Type: 
MFR
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PDF icon CIA-RDP96-00791R000100460001-7.pdf132.2 KB
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~~proved For Release 2003/p4/ P96-00791 R0001 00460001-7 MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD OTS/CB Memo #76-18 .4 February 1976 SUBJECT: Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Investigation into Parapsychology 1. Attached is the final report describing several years of CIA (?1W w OTS) sponsored research in the area popularly referred to as parapsychology. I believe the SRI report will be a major benchmark in the field. Even with its flaws the investigation is the most co,m.plete, serious and scientific investigation into parapsychology in general and its national security implications in, particular. The report establishers overwhelming scientific evidence for the existence of human perceptual capabilities which are as yet unexplained. The investigation, however, resulted in nothing which adds to the understanding of t: .i mechanisms involved and little which increases the effect5_ve- nests of national securitly.applications. The SRI investi- gation. and internal CIA "r3 experir,ents do, nevertheless, indicate potential applications o the phenomenon to intel- ligence problems. For exampleyr .. I..r r c . p?ri cal , u A 1 .a useful y ? +..1i1.?,~,t N V M can probably be developed for those intelligence problems where noisy, flawed information can. be used to limit known alternatives which subsequently can be verified. It is my opinion that an internal CIA program directed towards the above mentioned and similar intelligence requirements should be re-instated and continued withii CTS. 2. Much interest has been generated by SRI's publications in technical journals this past year, and ?-onsequent progress is likely. The unclassified portion of the SRI investigation is to be published in the IEEE Pro;ceeri.ings in March 1976. The acceptance by this presi:zgIous' j oirn.:, is a significant indicator of interest i ,.-this field within the scientific corrmrunity. Furthermore, a number of laboratories, 7 -9 in- cluing that of Dr. it. W. Lucky, Vice Chairman of the IBEE Publications Board and Division Director at Boll Laboratories, have successfully replicated the S.I remote viewing tasks. Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00791 R000100460001-7 proved For Release 2003/0 Ra '1 P96-00791R000100460001-7 Other groups such as the USIB's ST C study on "Emerging Areas of Science and Technology of 1. Importance to National Security" have independently identified parapsychology as an area worthy of support. The; Department of the Navy, the Office of Naval Researchand Naval Electronics System Command have also independently decided to support SRI in extensions of the CIA sponsored investigations. Releasing the SRI data for publication has already stimu- lated additional investigations, aIhd encouraged further research into understanding and controlling the phenomena involved. It is not premature for us to be now considering the analysis and application of intelligence desired from those techniques. OTS CB Attachment: References Final Report 2 Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00791 R000100460001-7 SG1A Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00791 R000100460001-7 Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00791 R000100460001-7