Deviant Science: The Case of Parapsychology

296 Pages·1984·20.159 MB·English

by  James McClenon

DEVIANT SCIENCE

DEVIANT SCIENCE
The Case of
Parapsychology
James McClenon
University of Pennsylvania Press
PHILADELPHIA
Design by Design For Publishing, Bob Nance
Copyright © 1984 by the University of Pennsylvania Press
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
McClenon, James.
Deviant science.
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
1. Psychical research. I. Title.
BF1040.M326 1984 133.8 83-14680
ISBN 0-8122-1178-2 (pbk.)
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
Figures vii
Tables ix
Abbreviations xi
Acknowledgments xiii
1 Introduction 1
2 Scientism and the Rejection of Extraordinary Anomalies 38
3 The Rhetorical Aspect of Parapsychology's Struggle with Its Critics 79
4 The Political Struggle of Parapsychology for Legitimacy 104
5 A Survey of Elite Scientists: Their Attitudes Toward ESP,
Parapsychology, and Anomalous Experience 128
6 The Reaction of Parapsychology to Deviant Labeling 164
7 The Interaction Between Parapsychology and the Public 197
8 Conclusions 221
Appendix A: Elite Scientist Questionnaire 237
Appendix B: Additional Comments from Elite Scientists 241
Appendix C: Parapsychological Research Centers 247
Appendix D: Interview Questions for Parapsychologists 251
References 253
Index 275
ν

Figures
1-1. The Theoretical Model 31
2-1. Theoretical Model Demonstrating Treatment of
Rejected Anomalies and Means for Long-Term
Research Involving Rejected Anomalies 40
3-1. Typical Patterns of Argument in the Rhetorical Conflict
Between Parapsychologists and Their Critics 99
4-1. The Political Process in Deviant Science 106

14:40:36.
14:40:36.
Tables
2-1. Defining Normal Sciences and Protosciences by How
Claims Are Evaluated 42
2-2. Scientists' Tendency to Evaluate Research so as to
Support Their Prior Systems of Belief 44
2-3. The Differentiation of Anomalous Claims 45
5-1. AAAS Sections Receiving Questionnaires 134
5-2. Relationship Between Opinion of ESP and
Questionnaire Return 136
5-3. A Comparison of Respondents' Attitudes Toward ESP
in the Literature 139
5-4. Do You Consider the Investigation of ESP a
Legitimate Scientific Undertaking? 139
5-5. Relationship Between Academic Field of Scientist and
Attitude Toward ESP 140
5-6. Attitude Toward ESP and Parapsychology by
Members of AAAS Sections 142
5-7. A Comparison of Source of Opinion Concerning
ESP 144
5-8. Relationship Between Belief in ESP and Belief That
the Investigation of ESP Is Legitimate 145
5-9. Relationship Between Birthyear of Elite Scientist and
Opinion of ESP 146
ix

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χ Tables
5-10. Source of Opinion Regarding ESP and Belief in
ESP 147
5-11. Relationship Between Familiarity with Psi Research
and Opinion of ESP 148
5-12. Relationship Between Belief in ESP and Anomalous
Experience 150
5-13. Percentage of Individuals Who Report Having Had a
Particular Experience Once or More 151
5-14. Percentage Who Consider Argument "Very
Important" or "Extremely Important" 152

14:40:45.