Well, I’m finally back at blogging after some brief travel. I had meant to go into the third group that would use UFO beliefs as propaganda, but to be honest, I’m more interested now in the next trajectory. For those who are curious, I may go back to this in detail. For now, suffice to say that the third group is one that, in the future, I see using the UFO paradigm as a means to redefine and displace theism (of any ordinary variety) and use the myth of alien visitation to prop up the idea that it is human evolutionary destiny to move toward transhumanism. This will affect all our basic social institutions, which are based on the idea that human life has some sort of sanctity or (without religion) special status. Without that, our basis for ethics, law, political theory, and religion are all fundamentally altered — and not for the better if we aren’t in the elite ruling or privileged classes.
But now let’s shift gears. I want to introduce all of you to a fairly hefty amount of peer-review literature (here, in psychiatric / psychological literature) on alleged alien abductions. In 1996 the professional journal Psychological Inquiry devoted an entire issue to alien abductions (vol. 7, issue 2). I have reproduced the contents below, with abstracts of each article. I have PDF files for all the articles, and I want us to begin reading through them together in order. I hope to stimulate some comments from readers, obviously. My goal is to show options for the abduction phenomenon. I hope readers of all persuasions have an open mind, because the spectrum of explanations (other than ETH) is pretty wide. All of the views have their points of coherence and problems.
Two things should be specifically noted in view of where our discussions have been in the recent past. First, there are other explanations for abductions besides the psychological explanations presented in this issue and other literature.As I and others have noted, abduction experiences can be filed in many categories. Second, the work of psychologists in this area does not undermine the demonic option as a possible explanation for some abductions. However, it does undermine the notion that the experiences of people are likely predominantly spiritual or demonic.
Here is the Table of Contents. Note that the first article has a live link, since we’ll start with that article in our reading.
1. Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories. By: Newman, Leonard S.; Baumeister, Roy F. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p99, 28p; Abstract Offers a prototype of the unidentified flying object (UFO) abduction experience and presents an assessment of the frequency of such reports. Cognitive-motivational explanation for the creation of spurious memories of UFO abductions; Parellels between UFO abduction accounts and masochistic fantasies; Elaboration of hallucinations, general knowledge and contextual cues; Role of hypnosis in false-memory creation.
2. Fantastic Accounts Can Take Many Forms: False Memory Construction? Yes. Escape From Self? We Don’t Think So. By: Arndt, Jamie; Greenberg, Jeff. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p127, 6p; Abstract Comments on the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Implausibility of the escape-from-self explanation of UFO abduction memories.
3. The Ordinary Nature of Alien Abduction Memories. By: Banaji, Mahzarin R.; Kihlstrom, John F.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p132, 4p; Abstract Presents comments on the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Psychological explanation of UFO abduction experiences in terms of both cognitive and motivational processes.
4. On the Edge of Science: Coping With UFOlogy Scientifically. By: Bowers, Kenneth S.; Eastwood, John D.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p136, 5p; Abstract Critiques the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Application of intrapsychic determinants of experience and behavior to the UFO abduction experience.
5. The Construction of Space Alien Abduction Memories. By: Clark, Steven E.; Loftus, Elizabeth F.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p140, 4p; Abstract Presents reactions to the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Argument that UFO abductions are a variety of false memories reconstructed with the suggestion of hypnosis.
6. Escaping the Self or Escaping the Anomaly? By: Hall, Robert L.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p143, 6p; Abstract Focuses on the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Newman and Baumeister’s explanation for claims of UFO abductions; Factors that lead to the development of false memories.
7. When Explanations Fail: Science and Pseudoscience in Psychology. By: Hull, Jay G.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p149, 3p; Abstract Presents comments on the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Lack of internal coherence in Newman and Baumeister’s explanation for claims of UFO abductions.
8. Alleged Alien Abductions: False Memories, Hypnosis, and Fantasy Proneness. By: Lynn, Steven Jay; Kirsch, Irving I.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p151, 5p; Abstract Comments on the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Effect of hypnosis on human memory; Relationship between hypnosis and fantasy proneness.
9. A More Parsimonious Explanation for UFO Abduction. By: McLeod, Caroline C.; Corbisier, Barbara; Mack, John E.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p156, 13p; Abstract Presents a critique of the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Arguments regarding the relationship between fantasy proneness, masochistic fantasy and hypnotic elaboration.
10. “Memories” of Anomalous and Traumatic Autobiographical Experiences: Validation and Consolidation of Fantasy Through Hypnosis. By: Orne, Martin T.; Whitehouse, Wayne G.; Orne, Emily Carota; Dinges, David F.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p168, 5p; Abstract Responds to the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Cognitive-motivational explanation for claims of UFO abductions; Validation of fantasy through hypnosis.
11. Distinguishing Memory From Fantasy. By: Ross, Michael; Newby, Ian R.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p173, 5p; Abstract Presents comments on the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Relationship of UFO abduction memories to ‘recovered’ memories of childhood sexual abuse.
12. Abduction Tales As Metaphors. By: Spence, Donald P.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p177, 3p; Abstract Reacts to the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Analysis of UFO abduction tales as metaphors for cultural crisis; Themes of powerlessness, uncertainty and alienation in abduction stories.
13. The Truth Is Out There. By: Strube, Michael J.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p180, 5p; Abstract Presents a critique of the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ by Leonard S. Newman and Roy F. Baumeister, which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Limitations of the ‘escape from self’ explanation for claims of UFO abduction.
14. Not Just Another False Memory: Further Thoughts on the UFO Abduction Phenomenon. By: Newman, Leonard S.; Baumeister, Roy F.. Psychological Inquiry, 1996, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p185, 13p; Abstract Responds to various comments made on the article ‘Toward an Explanation of the UFO Abduction Phenomenon: Hypnotic Elaboration, Extraterrestrial Sadomasochism, and Spurious Memories,’ which appeared in the April 1996 issue of the journal ‘Psychological Inquiry.’ Role of hypnosis in the creation of abduction memories; Characteristics of a fantasy-prone person.
Well, so much for scientific objectivity, he admits at the outset that “we do not believe in the literal reality of these experiences”…one would think that might influence their assessment of the entire ordeal, huh?
Mike: Did I understand you correctly, you are going to post links to those other articles later?
Well, I know more about masochism now than I ever wanted to know….
The theory put forth by the authors of the first article is another huge Maybe in a long list of Maybes, but they haven’t done much to prove it. Then again, I enjoy wild conjecture based on few facts as a form of entertainment (hence why I find Paleobabble so amusing). It’s plainly obvious to anybody with an ounce of analytical skill that the authors are unashamedly biased and make liberal use of logical fallacy (in fact, I wondered when the Chewbacca Defense was going to come up). I lost count of the straw-men and correlation/causation problems by the third page and gave up on pointing them all out here.
But since when do psychologists need to stick to objective analysis of solid facts and data anyway? There’s no fun in that and, besides, the scientific method is for scientists, not artists. I suppose they did use a few Greek letters and Latin words so maybe they deserve to keep their floppy hats.
@Catherine_B: Yes – that is correct. I’m going to post ALL the articles, one at a time. You’ll get the range of positions, method, and their presuppositions.
@Matt…: I love your line in the second paragraph!
The abductee testimony (assuming the hypnotic recall is valid) may be the key to an aspect of the phenom that was deserving of a much longer thread here than was available at this September 2008 inception. Pity if the abductee cause never surfaces again (as I scan the archives). Dr. Heiser, I believe your intent “to introduce all of you to a fairly hefty amount of peer-review literature (here, in psychiatric / psychological literature) on alleged alien abductions.” was a very ambitious intent. At it’s heart, the investigation into mainstream psycho-scientific resources (there’s 14 huge papers on the topic of earthlings who complain about ETs snatching them from their beds!) is amazing in itself. I was on Bainbridge Island in 1993 swapping homes with a youth counselor who had received the Roper Pamphlet advising mainstream psychologists to take seriously the claims of people with such complaints. I read the pamphlet in disbelief that such a huge survey had been undertaken. I now know that the Roper Org was a front for the Lawrence Rockefeller inspired study….
Perhaps your blog has had subsequent revisitations (no pun intended) to the abductee phenomenon, and your readership have weighed in on this cauldron of commonality with Genesis Cohabitation Theme. Your clear delivery of the text in Genesis and it’s undeniable similarities with the present day earthling’s experiences is a powerful topic for people to embrace if they are to come to terms with the exact nature of the purpose for the abductions and also possibly the agenda for the mass hysteria. Karla Turner was highly upset by the intrusion of the MILAB folks into her life….and death- as a result of preparing a mass of data and delivering it to the public.
Perhaps the sudden deaths of the abductee advocates is a hint.
Interesting that you mention the Rockefeller study. Do you have a link or some other such item that establishes the connection to Roper? This wouldn’t surprise me, but it would be great if you could save me the time looking for that.
As I note on my homepage’s FAQ, I think the abduction phenomenon has a spectrum of explanations, including what we’d think of as demonic oppression, but not limited to that. The psych approaches are just another explanation in that spectrum. Right now, for me, aliens aren’t in that spectrum since I’d first need to know there are real aliens and that they come here. With those two data points in hand, then that gets into the spectrum.
Last line wasn’t clear. Are you referring to NDE-like experiences or deaths of famous abductees, or something else? (I’m aware that there are human mutilation cases, so is that your reference?)
Dear Sir,
I will endeavor to get you the reference you requested. The Rocky/Roper connection is fascinating, wouldn’t you agree? Even more fascinating is the recent documentary on the Rockefeller Family which aired on PBS this past year; http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/rockefellers/
In this documentary which chronicles the rise of this FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN EVANGELICAL FAMILY to wealth and power, we see complexity and contradiction in the Rockefeller Family background of generational transcendence to present day survivors of the curse that wealth brings.
Naturally, PBS, being a primary mouthpiece of the NWO, we treat such biographical content with a high degree of discernment. However, the PBS piece linked above is shockingly critical of the patriarch, John D. There is also a surprising degree of hypocracy chronicled in this (has to be seen to be believed) biopic 2 hour snapshot of the world’s most notorious family.
As for the psycho-scientific optional explanations for the abduction phenomenon- you state that is only part of the spectrum. This was heard loud and clear.
Also, you point to your home page FAQ as a resource for more abductee rigor…also heard. More to the point, I’m back to the “demon is an alien” position from earlier posts…While I know that you are firm on your definition of an alien- I think we are splitting hairs. Demonic activity or EBE activity- both are non-human. The proof of the existence of either would be headline grabbing, wouldn’t you say? And if the world interprets these Demons to be Angels of Light, then we are wading deeper into your favorite topic to debate. You want people to make a distinction between divine beings and EBEs- I get that. But back to my earlier point, isn’t the state of obedience of a non-human entity the more important differentiator? Similar to the state of obedience of a human, aN NHE is to be treated with a high degree of discernment- regardless of divine or biological status. In fact, I recently heard you highlight the “grey area” between physical manifestation of a divine being with the finger of the Angel of The Lord being placed on the lips of Daniel in order to silence him from speaking. Here, an NHE is acting in obedience to The Lord (if not the actuall Person of).
What I am attempting to tease out of an Angelology Scholar is the “Geiger Counter” that one needs to give to the Author of Hebrews (who said; “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers”…) in order to detect whether or not that stranger is of God or otherwise. The question of biological or divine seems secondary to me.
Getting back to the abductee question of whether people are actually being taken or not seems to be ignoring the now famous case of Travis Walton. Surely you are familiar with the imperical data and qualifications of those involved with this case, the lie detectors, law enforcement credentials, time elapse, enduring loyalty over thirty years to the original story by all adherents as well as the other third parties whose denial of the supernatural version of events extended to accusations of murder and only to be proved wrong by the existence of Travis Walton’s living, naked body dumped near a phone booth miles from the scene of the abduction.
I didn’t see his case in any of the papers.
Finally, your question about the deaths I referred to above- I was offering Karla Turner’s untimely and sudden death from “fast acting cancer” as a possible talking point together with John Mack’s tragic death on the streets of London “where Americans frequently fail to look right instead of left before attempting to cross the street”. I treat both of these deaths and others as highly convenient for those who would prefer the abductee story to remain in the realm of the “barking mad”. You’re blog here admirably attempts to highlight the abductee story. It just goes to show that very few people wish to discuss it, validate it as fact or recognize its implications…let alone connect it with events that occurred “as in the days of Noah”.
Perhaps it IS the glory of God to conceal a thing after all….
For a short note on the “demon = alien” thing, see my reply to Loretta (just now).
The Family really does seem to be a big deal. I mention it briefly in the sequel to The Facade (part of a tense conversation between the colonel and Brian). It’s something I plan to develop more in book 3.
Dear Sir,
This may not pass your smell test but I have Vanity Fair Article below that has Laurence R. Funding “Program for Extraordinary Experience Research” and there is a later reference to the Roper Poll-
Inside the Alien-Abduction Support-Group Annual Meeting in …
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2013/05/americans-alien-abduction-science
May 10, 2013 – Alien Nation: Have Humans Been Abducted by Extraterrestrials? …. at his Laurance S. Rockefeller–supported Program for Extraordinary Experience … at California’s Esalen Institute, Mack recounted that he became, “a Russian-father in the …. Conferees argued over the validity of a poll done by the Roper …
“Tall, impulsive, and magnetic to women and men, Mack was everywhere, or so it seemed—on Oprah and Nova; on the best-seller lists; in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Time; at his Laurance S. Rockefeller–supported Program for Extraordinary Experience Research; in scholarly journals, documentaries, poems, theater pieces, and Roz Chast cartoons. And then suddenly he was under investigation at Harvard, the target of a grueling inquisition. “I didn’t think people would believe me,” Mack had confided to his longtime assistant, Leslie Hansen, who was in Newport last July. “But I didn’t think they’d get so mad.” In the end he achieved a measure of vindication, but his freakish demise denied him a final reckoning in an unpublished manuscript he saw as his cri de coeur against scientific materialism and “ontological fascism.””
Later in the article…
“Conferees argued over the validity of a poll done by the Roper Organization for the hotel and aerospace mogul and U.F.O. advocate Robert T. Bigelow that sought for the first time to quantify alien abduction in America. Because few were likely to admit to being an abductee, the pollsters asked the 5,947 respondents if they had ever experienced five key abduction-type symptoms: waking up paralyzed with the sense of a strange presence or person in the room, missing time, feeling a sensation of flying, seeing balls of light in the room, and finding puzzling scars. (A trick question asked if “Trondant” held any secret meaning for them. Anyone who answered yes to the nonsense word was eliminated as unreliable.) Two percent of the respondents, or 119 people, acknowledged at least four of the five experiences, which Roper said translated to 3.7 million adult Americans. At a minimum, Hopkins reported, the results suggested that 560,000 adult Americans might be abductees.”
Thanks. I will run this by an insider I know to see if he can provide any correlation to it. A good place to start!