BAE 3.2

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, Volume 3, Number 2, dated April 1992, is a networking newsletter focused on the UFO abduction phenomenon and related issues, primarily for mental health professionals and interested scientists. The publication aims to "comfortably tread the narrow path between the groves of academia and the dust and heat of the marketplace, inquiring and suggesting, not asserting or insisting."

In This Issue

The issue features several key articles and discussions:

• Virtual Conference Responses: This section presents feedback on questions posed in the previous issue's Virtual Conference, specifically regarding opening up BAE subscriptions and participation to experiencers. Responses include "ayes" from Stuart Appelle, Ph.D., who suggests distinguishing between subscribers and involved professionals, and "each case on its own merits" votes from John Robert Colombo and Brian Thompson, M.D.

• UFO's and Fairies: Reaction: This includes a response from Richard Hall to Peter Rocjewicz's views on UFOs and fairies. Hall expresses suspicion of philosophers who claim reality is unknowable while explaining how it works, and while acknowledging a potential connection between fairy encounters and UFO abductions, he emphasizes the need for empirical evidence. He critiques Rocjewicz's subjectivist epistemology.

• The Four Dimensions of Abduction Trauma: John Mack, M.D., discusses the multifaceted nature of abduction trauma, highlighting four dimensions: the traumatic events themselves, self-enforced isolation due to societal reactions, the shattering of consensus reality, and the unpredictability of future threats, particularly concerning parental protection of children.

• Networking: John Mack & Richard Hall: This section provides biographical information on two key figures. John Edward Mack, M.D., is detailed with his extensive background in psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and his work at Harvard Medical School, as well as his awards, including a Pulitzer Prize. Richard Hall outlines his UFO research background, including his work with NICAP, his influence on Congressional hearings, and his contributions to UFO literature.

• Second Advance Landing by John Robert Colombo: This is a review of the film "In Advance of the Landing," which is based on Douglas Curran's book "Folk Concepts of Other Space." Colombo describes the film as charming and entertaining, comparing it to "Roger and Me" and "Cosmos." He notes its lack of narration, its examination of the human species, and its associative editing style. He mentions specific individuals featured, including Dorothy Izatt, Betty Hill, Marcello Truzzi, Phil Klass, Alan Mosley, Ruth Norman, Gabriel Green, and the Unarius group. He also touches upon Jack Kennedy and Richard Nixon in relation to UFOs and the film's director, Dan Curtis.

• Literature Extracts: The issue includes abstracts or references to several articles:
• "When Do Anomalies Begin?" (from SCIENCE) by Alan Lightman and Owen Gingerich, which discusses how anomalies in science are often recognized only after new conceptual frameworks provide explanations.
• "The Quest for Transcencence: An Ethnography of UFOs in America" (from THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF CONSCIOUSNESS) by Robert E. Bartholomew, which critiques the ethnocentric portrayal of UFO sightings by scientists and emphasizes the social construction of reality.
• Other recent abstracts of interest are also mentioned.

• "A Fury of Symbols": This section features an excerpt from an article in Harper's Magazine by Joel Agee, describing a series of bizarre experiences involving synchronicity and psi, and a discussion of how history is written and knowledge is gained.

• Special Insert: The Human Response to Abduction: A Research Methodology Toward an Alien Abduction Taxonomy by Richard Haines, Ph.D. (This is mentioned on the cover but not detailed in the provided pages).

Mail and Correspondence

• Virtual Conference Responses: Further discussion on opening BAE to experiencers, with contributions from Stuart Appelle, John Robert Colombo, and Brian Thompson.

• On Dick Hall's "Quick Alert" proposal: Feedback from John Miller, M.D., Stuart Appelle, Ph.D., Leo Sprinkle, Ph.D., and John Robert Colombo on Hall's proposal for rapid reporting of abduction cases. Miller supports it, while Appelle raises concerns about bias and contamination of data. Sprinkle expresses weariness with new categories of investigation, and Colombo leaves evaluation to field workers.

• On recent books to discuss in BAE: Leo Sprinkle suggests "Invasion Within," "Celestial Teachings," and "Healing Shattered Reality." Jean Mundy suggests "Silent Invasion." Robert Baker recommends "Hidden Memories," "Missing Pieces," and "Fire in the Brain."

• On BAE publishing a list of its subscribers: Feedback is mixed, with a decision pending.

• On material from BAE appearing on the WELL: No objections noted.

Recent Abstracts of Interest

• EEG alpha methodologies and hypnotizability: a critical review (Perlini AH Spanos NP, Psychophysiology)
• Trance logic in hypnosis and imagination (McConkey KM Bryant RA Bibb BC Kihlstrom JF, J Abnorm Psychol)
• The transformation of affect in posttraumatic nightmares (Lansky MR, Bull Menninger Clin)
• Treating traumatic memories: a case report on the eye movement desensitization procedure (Puk G, J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder overcome by eye-movement desensitization: a case report (Wolpe J Abrams J, J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry)

Conference Update

Details are provided for the "1992 World UFO Conference" in Colorado Springs, with a list of guest speakers including Mike Christol, Alice Bryant, Dr. Steven Greer, William Pitts, Dr. Jean Mundy, Linda Seebach, Yvonne Cole, Donald Ware, Thom Theofanous, Jorge Rey, Sheila Lennon, and Linda Moulton Howe.

About Bulletin of Anomalous Experience

David Gotlib, M.D. (Editor) and Joanne Hager, Ph.D. (Associate Editor) describe BAE as a networking newsletter for mental health professionals and interested scientists. They mention their aim to balance academic inquiry with marketplace accessibility. They are considering opening subscriptions to experiencers. Subscription rates and copyright information are provided. Contact information for David Gotlib, M.D., is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of anomalous experiences, particularly UFO abductions, and how they are studied and understood within scientific and psychological frameworks. There's a clear editorial stance favoring rigorous inquiry and a balanced approach, seeking to bridge academic and experiential perspectives. The publication appears to be a platform for professionals to discuss these phenomena, while also considering the inclusion of experiencers' perspectives. The issue highlights the challenges of studying subjective experiences, the limitations of current scientific paradigms, and the potential for new insights from interdisciplinary approaches. The editorial comments emphasize a non-assertive, suggestive approach, encouraging discussion and inquiry rather than definitive pronouncements.

This document, titled "The Human Response to Abduction: A Research Methodology Toward an Alien Abduction Taxonomy (AAT)", authored by Richard F. Haines, Ph.D., and dated October 6, 1990, presents a detailed methodology for systematically studying and categorizing human responses to alleged alien abductions. It functions as a research paper or a special issue focused on a specific scientific approach to ufology.

Introduction to the AAT

The author highlights the enormous task of understanding the full spectrum of human responses to alleged alien abductions, noting the subtlety and interconnectedness of reported symptoms, which can range from cognitive experiences to psychophysiological effects and physical evidence like scars or implants. The primary goal of the paper is to introduce a practical methodology for developing a flexible taxonomy of these human responses. This Alien Abduction Taxonomy (AAT) is intended to be a coding scheme useful for collecting, disseminating, and analyzing data from alleged Close Encounters of the Third Kind (CE-3) and Fourth Kind (CE-4).

The paper posits that by systematically collecting data on alleged abductees' symptoms and sequelae, researchers can begin to understand the underlying causes, whether internal (e.g., a new type of neurosis) or external. The AAT is structured as a matrix, employing two orthogonal axes. The X-axis represents generally temporally ordered events or episodes, while the Y-axis comprises different, topically ordered human responses. Six initial lists of AAT response categories are presented as preliminary.

AAT Matrix Dimensions and Explanation

Figure 1 illustrates a two-dimensional matrix designed to provide a consistent way to refer to specific events, codify them for computer entry, and support statistical analysis. The process involves developing a Master Data Matrix, reading abduction narratives, and inserting coded data scores into the appropriate cells. Sensory responses are entered into the row labeled M1 (Matrix 1 - Sensory Responses), and this process is repeated for other matrices (Tables 4-8). The paper suggests that many database management software systems can handle this task.

A consistent event-labeling convention is used: [X]-[Y:N], where X is the horizontal axis (Generally Temporally Ordered Event), Y is the vertical axis (Matrix Number, e.g., 1 for Sensory Responses), and N is a decimal-numbered item from a specific matrix. An example is given where a cell might contain "conjunctivitis" (L-1.5), indicating a specific symptom. By cross-referencing this with other coded data (e.g., "light yellow after-image", "ozone odor", "very thirsty", "extreme sunburn"), the author illustrates how patterns can emerge, potentially suggesting exposure to ultraviolet radiation and allowing for dosage estimations.

This coding scheme is also beneficial for cross-comparing multiple cases, greatly facilitating analysis when data is entered into a computer database.

Horizontal Axis of the Matrix

The horizontal axis of the AAT matrix consists of generally temporally ordered events, referred to as Episodes, which are presented in Table 2. These episodes are characterized as occurring regularly in reported cases and include pre-event and post-event categories, as well as a general category 'M'.

• Table 2 details these episodes:
• A. Pre-Event: Typically 2-6 months before the event.
• B. During Event: Eleven episodes comprising a "typical" abduction, with a twelfth 'M' category for others. These episodes may not occur in strict order, but many do.
• 1 = Ongoing human activity: Description of what the person was doing before the event, establishing social context.
• 2 = Alerting-Orienting Stimulus: Sensory awareness (light, noise, vibration) diverting attention to an anomalous phenomenon.
• 3 = Capture: Events surrounding the actual abduction, including entities involved and incapacitation.
• 4 = Travel to/from First Enclosure/Environment: Details of transport, sensory impressions, and physiological responses during travel.
• 5 = Tour of First Enclosure/Environment: Description of the new environment, including its features, technology, and atmosphere.
• 6 = Personal Examination: Details of scrutiny of the body, mind, or spirit, including apparatus and techniques used.
• H. 7 = Communications and Messages: Transmission of information to or from the abductee.
• I. 8 = Travel to/from Second (Large) Environment: Transport to a larger or different environment.
• J. 9 = Tour to and From Second (Large) Environment: Experience within a larger enclosed environment.
• K. 10 = Return to Original Location on the Earth: Events related to the return to the starting point.
• L. 11 = Aftermath: Physical, psychological, and other life changes experienced soon after abduction (within 3-4 days).
• M. 12 = Other Category: User-defined categories.
• N. Post Event: Details appearing later, not clearly related to the abduction (e.g., job change, major life event).

Vertical Axis of the Matrix

The vertical axis is subdivided into six logical topic areas, detailed in Table 1 and further elaborated in Tables 3 through 8. These categories represent possible human responses to abduction experiences. A decimal numbering system is used to identify specific cells.

• Table 1: Six Initial Response Lists 1. Sensory Responses 2. Physiological System Responses 3. Psychological-Sociological Responses 4. Cognitive-Intellectual Responses 5. Spiritual Responses 6. Psychic-Paranormal Responses

Detailed Response Categories (Tables 3-8)

Table 3: Sensory Responses (Matrix 1)
Covers aspects related to eyes/vision (light/color sensitivity, blindness, retinal effects), ears/hearing (partial/total loss, unusual noises), skin/touch (sensitivity changes, tingling, pain), tongue/taste (sensory magnitude changes, metallic taste), stomach/nutrition (hunger/thirst changes), nose/smell (spontaneous/unfamiliar odors), vestibular organ/balance (equilibrium changes, dizziness), neuro-muscular/kinesiology (limb strength/velocity changes, coordination), and miscellaneous responses (vomiting, urination, fainting, paralysis).

Table 4: Basic Physiological System Responses (Matrix 2)
Includes cardiovascular (heart rate, blood pressure), endocrine/biochemical (hormonal changes), gastro-intestinal (excretion, cramps), immune (health changes), lymphatic (fluid chemistry), metabolic (oxygen uptake, kidney/liver function), musculo-skeletal (body stature, bone changes), neural (sensory/central/motor nervous system), pulmonary (respiration, tidal volume), reproduction (organ anatomy/physiology, pregnancy), vestibular-neural system, and miscellaneous responses (general health, weight change, body surface changes, hair changes, healing, skin color).

Table 5: Psychological-Sociological Responses (Matrix 3)
Covers attitudes towards various subjects (alien life forms, authority, culture, economics, politics, media, religion, UFOs), beliefs (long-standing, recently established), covert behavioral traits (anxiety, fear, anger, PTSD, altered consciousness), overt behavioral traits (affect change, glossolalia, paralysis), overt performance capability changes (dual task, reaction time), personality changes (functional, cyclic), sensations (sensitivity level, cyclic characteristics), perceptions (spatial, temporal, intensity, color distortions, illusions), social relationships (peers, family, authority figures, enemies), and miscellaneous responses (sleep, communication, affiliation needs, withdrawal).

Table 6: Cognitive/Intellectual Responses (Matrix 4)
Includes basic intelligence capacity (IQ, reasoning, mathematical ability), short-term and long-term memory (amnesia), spatial organization capacity (gestalt perception, sequential dysfunctions), and exceptional capabilities (new documented capabilities, language, awareness of physical environment).

Table 7: Spiritual Responses (Matrix 5)
Addresses stability of beliefs (reawakening, new truths), level of commitment to new beliefs, theophany events (frequency, nature of conversations), and miscellaneous spiritual responses.

Table 8: Psychic-Paranormal Responses (Matrix 6)
Details channeling, clairvoyance, clairaudience, deja vu experiences, disintegration/immateriality, near-death experiences (NDE), out-of-body experiences (OBE), precognition, psychokinesis/poltergeist effects, remote viewing, and other psychic capabilities.

A scoring key is provided for each table, using symbols like '++' (exceptionally strong), '+' (moderately strong), '0' (no change), '-' (less than normal), '--' (very weak), 'P' (partial), 'F' (full), 'D' (damaged), and 'N' (necrosis) to quantify the intensity and nature of the reported responses.

Summary

The paper concludes by reiterating that the AAT provides a means for quickly and effectively coding a broad array of human responses occurring during Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind. The horizontal axis represents temporally ordered events, and the vertical axis comprises six general categories of human responses. Using this taxonomy, investigators can specify events by letter and decimal number, and data can be entered in various forms, including short phrases or single words, with the potential for a special scoring key to rate response strength.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the need for a structured, scientific methodology to study the complex phenomenon of alien abductions. The editorial stance is one of objective inquiry, aiming to develop a flexible and comprehensive system for data collection and analysis. The paper advocates for a systematic approach to understand the human experience of abduction, moving beyond anecdotal accounts to a more quantifiable and comparable dataset. There is a clear emphasis on the potential for this taxonomy to aid in understanding the etiology of abduction-related symptoms and to facilitate cross-case comparisons.