Perceptions of Anomalous Cognition :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Why Psi Perceptions of Anomalous Cognition Why would I risk the ridicule of my peers to explore a topic as debatable and inflammatory as that which is known as psi phenomenon? And more significantly how and why is it relevant to the study of neurobiology? Given the nature of the topic, it may not everlastingly be easy to discuss such scientifically or diplomatically. It is my contention however, that serious review of the scientific evidence, legitimate scientific give-and-take and funding for research has been seriously impeded because of its controversial nature. And, furthermore, that it is as relevant a topic for investigation as are other methods by which information is perceived by humans.There are some legitimate reasons for the prejudice that surrounds this topic. Often when maven thinks of psi phenomenon some strange themes rise to mind such as UFOs and Alien Abductions, ESP, crop circles, Astrology, Ghosts, Mediums, Channeling and Angles. Most of these add under the heading of paranormal and are decidedly difficult to turn out scientifically. The plethora of information on such subjects that floods the internet is more apparent to reference mysticism, faith and spiritually than offer scientific theory or experimental outcomes and I will leave such to those realms. I, therefore, in this musical theme will not be referring to alien astrologers channeling their horoscopes through mediums who have been abducted. unless the concepts that comprise that which is known as anomalous noesis will be discussed. Its components are telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition (1). My first exposure to the term anomalous cognition came as a result of my research for this paper. I just had always called it knowing. Ever since I was a little girl, however, I have been repeatedly told that my experiences were all in my head. That had been exactly my position also. But what my critics, who included my family members, friends and my husband, really meant was tha t my experiences existed only in my imagination. They argued, as is commonly believed and sometimes verified, that experiences like exploit could be caused by selective or faulty memory, wishful intellection or subliminal clues (2). And for many old age, I tried to believe that one of those explanations applied to me. My husband the scientist, engineer and amateur magician has been telling me for years what he believed to be the prevailing opinion about psi inside much of the scientific community. The picture was not very flattering.