Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) was a research laboratory at Princeton University dedicated to investigating the possible interaction between human consciousness and physical systems. Operating from 1979 until 2007, the laboratory became one of the most well-known and controversial research programmes within the field of Parapsychology.
History
PEAR was founded in 1979 by Robert G. Jahn, then Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University. Jahn established the laboratory to investigate what he described as the possible interaction between human consciousness and sensitive physical devices, systems and processes.
The laboratory operated from facilities within Princeton's engineering department and was largely supported through private funding rather than conventional university research grants.
Developmental psychologist Brenda Dunne managed the laboratory throughout its existence, working alongside a small research team, student interns and visiting researchers.
Research
PEAR's most recognised research focused on electronic random event generators (REGs), devices designed to produce statistically random binary outputs.
Participants were asked to attempt to influence the output of these devices through mental intention, commonly described as attempting to make the system produce more "high" or "low" results. Researchers analysed millions of trials and reported a small but statistically significant deviation from chance.
The reported effect size was extremely small, with PEAR researchers suggesting that the results represented a possible interaction between consciousness and physical systems.
The laboratory also conducted experiments involving claimed remote perception, a term PEAR researchers preferred over the more commonly used "remote viewing".
Scientific reception
PEAR's findings remained controversial throughout its existence. Supporters argued that the accumulated results represented evidence worthy of further investigation, while critics questioned the methodology, statistical interpretation and practical significance of the reported effects.
Many mainstream scientists remained unconvinced, arguing that the observed deviations from chance were too small to rule out unknown methodological factors or statistical artefacts.
The laboratory's work was also criticised for being difficult to independently reproduce, although supporters argued that the subject matter itself presented challenges for traditional experimental approaches.
Closure
PEAR announced its closure in February 2007 after nearly three decades of operation. The laboratory stated that it had achieved its original research objectives and that continuing within the university environment was no longer necessary.
Following the closure, Jahn and Dunne established the International Consciousness Research Laboratories (ICRL) to continue related consciousness research outside Princeton.
Vault Research Assessment
See also
- Psychokinesis
- Extrasensory Perception
- Parapsychology
- Robert G. Jahn
- Brenda Dunne
- International Consciousness Research Laboratories