1982 02 00 Perceptual and Motor Skills - Vol 54 No 1 - Persinger

Magazine Overview

This document is a research paper titled "GEOPHYSICAL VARIABLES AND BEHAVIOR: IV. UFO REPORTS AND FORTEAN PHENOMENA: TEMPORAL CORRELATIONS IN THE CENTRAL U.S.A." authored by M. A. Persinger of Laurentian University. It was published in the journal Perceptual and Motor Skills in 1982, with the article spanning pages 299-302.

Summary of Findings

The study aimed to test the hypothesis that the nature of Fortean events changes over time. Temporal correlations were analyzed between UFO reports and several classes of Fortean events over a 20-year period (1949-1968) in the central and eastern United States. For the central USA, a significant positive correlation was found between the number of UFO reports and the number of electromagnetic transients (power failures) from the previous year (r=0.57), as well as odd human behaviors from the previous year (r=0.62). Additionally, UFO reports correlated with poltergeist-like events (r=0.57) and odd fall reports (r=0.52) from the subsequent two years. These correlations were less pronounced or absent in the eastern USA data.

The analyses suggest a progressive sequence in Fortean events. As geophysical source stimuli increase, events are hypothesized to manifest first as mundane electromagnetic episodes, then as overt UFO displays, and finally as more bizarre poltergeist-like reports.

Theoretical Framework

The paper builds upon the hypothesis that many UFO phenomena are luminous events generated by tectonic strain within the Earth. This is presented as a special case of a more general possibility: that qualitatively different unusual events are reported as tectonic strain increases. These events are collectively termed Fortean phenomena.

The general theory predicts at least three distinct phases as strain intensity or changes in strain intensity increase. These phases are characterized by a decrease in the area within which displays occur and an increase in the intensity and unusual nature of the events.

• Phase I: Associated with increased displays of mundane electromagnetic effects (e.g., power failures, communication difficulties, aircraft crashes due to EM interference) and effects on the human nervous system (e.g., amnesia, paranormal reports, running amok).
• Phase II: Replaces Phase I phenomena as tectonic strain increases. This phase is primarily characterized by UFO and luminous displays.
• Phase III: Occurs if strain continues to increase without major earthquakes. These events are more bizarre, highly localized, and energetic, including poltergeist activity and the fall of unusual objects.

Methodology

Data for seven classes of Fortean events were collected for the period 1945-1970 from a major source file (Persinger & Lafrenière, 1977), with separate sorts for the central and eastern USA. The seven classes were:

• FALLS: Reports of rock, ice, etc., falling from unknown sources.
• CEMT (Conventional Electromagnetic Transients): Primarily power failures or blackouts.
• HUMAN: Cases of running amok, unusual deaths, etc.
• TELE (Temporal Lobe Events): Reports of poltergeist-like events.
• UFORS (Unidentified Flying Objects): Multiple luminous displays or UFO flaps.
• ABDUC: Reports of contacts or abductions with "aliens".
• ANIMA: Reports of unusual or "nonexistent" animals.

For the central USA, the total numbers of events were: 178 UFORS, 31 FALLS, 34 HUMAN, 16 CEMT, 86 ANIMA, 25 ABDUC, 57 TELE. For the eastern USA, the numbers were: 92 UFORS, 27 FALLS, 25 HUMAN, 10 CEMT, 17 ANIMA, 29 ABDUC, 55 TELE.

Limitations of the procedure included potential overinclusion of categories and sampling error, as most data were collected from reports published in FATE magazine. Correlation matrices were generated using SPSS software, examining correlations between UFORS and other Fortean classes for a lag of ±3 years.

Results and Interpretation

In the central USA, UFORS showed moderate positive correlations with CEMT and HUMAN events from the previous year, and with TELE and FALLS events from the subsequent first and second years, respectively. ANIMA reports showed no significant correlation, while ABDUC reports showed a marginal correlation with UFORS in the same year. The positive nature of these correlations suggests that years with high UFORS are preceded by increased CEMT and HUMAN events and followed by increased TELE and FALL events.

Stepwise multiple regression analyses did not significantly improve the predictive power beyond the largest bivariate correlation, suggesting that these variables might share a common underlying source of variance, separated in time.

The eastern USA did not exhibit the same statistically significant pattern. Moderate correlations were found between UFORS and FALLS (0.41), HUMAN (0.44), and TELE (0.40) for the following year, and ABDUC correlated with UFORS (0.40) for the same year. The authors note that this pattern might reflect regional differences, sample size limitations, or constraints of the hypothesis.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The study concludes that investigations into the relationships between large-scale geophysical stimuli and unusual phenomena are ongoing and conceptual. These interactions may manifest as local, transient clusters of unusual or Fortean events, potentially showing a progressive and qualitative shift in characteristics over time.

References

The paper lists several references by M. A. Persinger and others, focusing on transient geophysical bases for UFO-related phenomena, seismic activity, odd luminosities before earthquakes, and space-time transients and unusual events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme of this issue is the exploration of potential geophysical and environmental influences on anomalous human experiences and observations, specifically UFOs and other Fortean phenomena. The research presented suggests a scientific, data-driven approach to understanding these events, linking them to measurable variables like tectonic strain and electromagnetic activity. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unconventional phenomena, seeking to explain them through scientific hypotheses and empirical analysis, rather than dismissing them outright.