BAE 5.1

Magazine Overview

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 5, Number 1
Date: February 1994
Publisher: David Gotlib, M.D.
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue marks the fifth year of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience (BAE), a networking newsletter for mental health professionals and interested scientists focusing on the UFO abduction phenomenon and related issues. The publication serves as a forum for ideas, information, and debate, aiming to tread a path between academia and the marketplace.

Mail

The 'Mail' section features several letters from subscribers. Michael Downey, MUFON State Director for Oregon, praises the newsletter's in-depth information. Paul McCarthy congratulates the editor on another year of the 'most useful forum of debate.' Hilary Evans highlights BAE as a meeting place for like-minded individuals. Dennis Stillings commends the publication for covering a 'disreputable field' with integrity. C. Sweet appreciates BAE for keeping him 'sniffing around' despite the 'stinky' nature of much ufology. Jennie Zeidman compares BAE favorably to other UFO publications. Joseph Long, Ph.D., values BAE for its integrity and its reviews of journals he cannot access. He also notes distributing copies of the October issue as gifts. Lois Horowitz expresses gratitude for an introduction to Richard Thompson's 'Alien Identities.' Chris Rutkowski declares BAE the 'BEST ufozine anywhere,' praising its rationality and informativeness compared to other publications like FSR, IUR, and MUFON.

Careless Citations by David Hufford, Ph.D.

David Hufford, author of 'The Terror That Comes In The Night,' discusses the misuse of citations in debunking articles and books. He provides two examples from a study by Spanos, Cross, Dickson, and DuBreuil in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Hufford argues that the study misrepresented his findings on sleep paralysis, incorrectly stating that his work supported the conclusion that hallucinations take the form of space aliens in individuals who believe in extraterrestrial visitation. Hufford asserts that his book was devoted to ruling out such a conclusion, citing his own assertions that the experience's pattern is independent of explicit cultural models and cannot be explained by current knowledge. He criticizes the study's reliance on the 'Cultural Source Hypothesis,' which posits that anomalous experiences are produced by prior learning and expectation. Hufford also notes that a New York Times article by Walter Sullivan misrepresented the Spanos study, claiming it found no abnormality apart from prior belief, despite the study's actual findings. Hufford sees this as a systematic bias that enters into the construction of descriptions and interpretations of anomalous experiences. He also laments the increasing practice of citing entire works without page numbers, making it difficult to verify claims.

Networking

Dr. Alexander Imich Prize Contests

Two contests are announced: No. 6, on the topic 'Are All Crop Circles Merely Hoaxes?', sponsored by the Center for Frontier Sciences, with a $1,000 prize for the best paper, due June 30, 1994. Contest No. 7, on 'Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs),' also offers a $1,000 prize for an essay describing personal EHEs and their influence, due December 31, 1994.

Conference Notice: Treat VI

The 'Treat VI' conference, 'What's the Matter? Reality and the Mind,' will be held from April 28 to May 1, 1994, in Virginia Beach, VA. It focuses on the interface between traditional wisdoms, emerging technologies, and frequency effects. The conference will examine nonconventional information-access systems, anomalous experiences, and includes a special session on Russian psychic diagnosticians. A pre-conference workshop on Remote Viewing with Lyn Buchanan is also offered.

Call For Papers

Proposals for presentations are invited for Jeffrey S. Levin, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Features

FMS Update

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The Fantasy-Prone Personality Hypothesis: Current Status by Keith Basterfield

This article is not detailed in the provided text.

Seeing Things: The Meaningfulness of "Mass Hallucination" by Steve Mizrach

This article is not detailed in the provided text.

Sightings in Mexico City: A CSETI Investigation by Dr. Joseph Burkes

This article is not detailed in the provided text.

Evolution of Public Opinion on UFOs by Robert Durant (from International UFO Reporter)

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The Extraordinary Encounter Continuum Hypothesis and its Implications for the Study of Belief Materials by Peter M. Rojcewicz

This article is not detailed in the provided text.

Upcoming Talk at Dissociation Conference

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From the Medical Literature

Hypnotic Regression to Childhood and Infancy -- A Literature Review

This section is not detailed in the provided text.

Experiencers' Section

"How Are Experiencers' Needs Being Met?" Georgia Flamburis replies to Richard Boylan

This section is not detailed in the provided text.

Sally's Story: Anomalous Experiences and an Anomalous Skin Lesion by Edward Carlos, Ph.D.

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The "Sociology" of Mainstream Anomaly Research by Robert J. Durant

Durant critiques the tendency of mainstream research into anomalies, particularly UFOs, to dismiss the phenomena outright. He cites the paper 'Close Encounters: An Examination of UFO Experiences' as an example, noting how its bibliography exclusively cites skeptics. He also references a New York Times article by Walter Sullivan that characterized the Spanos et al. study as finding no abnormality in UFO reporters, which Durant argues misrepresents the study's findings and aligns with a debunking agenda.

Boylan and Gotlib: A Dialogue

This section features an exchange between David Gotlib and Richard Boylan concerning 'Close Extraterrestrial Encounters.' Gotlib expresses a willingness to accept explanations for CE-IV experiences but requires sufficient proof for personal and professional comfort. He maintains that a core group of these experiences cannot be dismissed by conventional explanations. Gotlib emphasizes that while he cannot provide a definitive explanation, he acknowledges the client's belief. He questions the concept of 'expanded consciousness' associated with contact experiences, drawing parallels to dreams and shamanic journeys, and suggests that using consensus reality tools might not always be valid for interpreting these states. He also raises concerns about the validity of personal validation as a means to discern meaning, especially in a therapeutic context, and suggests that mental health professionals might be hesitant to accept definitions that require them to acknowledge the reality of contact experiences. Gotlib proposes that criteria for 'Close Extraterrestrial Encounter Syndrome' should be more general to gain acceptance within diagnostic manuals like the DSM.

Richard Boylan replies, affirming his belief that a core group of CE-IV experiences lack conventional explanations. He clarifies that his focus on personal validation is supportive for clients questioning their sanity, not an assertion of objective proof. Boylan explains that behavioral and social sciences use large datasets to measure phenomena and identify special factors. He states that his research, based on aggregated data from experiencers, suggests that the 'Post-traumatic Stress' model does not fit the data as well as benign experiences, with trauma often arising from prior human-caused issues or misinterpretations of the experience. He distinguishes 'expanded consciousness' in CE-4 experiencers as a shift in boundaries and norms within ordinary consciousness, not an altered state. He acknowledges that while an experiencer's subjective interpretation is important, a professional can offer a helpful perspective. Boylan defends the specificity of his proposed CEES criteria, arguing that it is not a reason to avoid defining phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, citing historical examples of the mental health community's resistance to new concepts.

Reply to Hilary Evans' "From Untruth to Unreality" by Dennis Stacy

Dennis Stacy, editor of MUFON UFO Journal, responds to Hilary Evans' comments. Stacy discusses the nature of physical evidence and the mindsets of investigators. He uses the example of the infamous Willamette Pass 'UFO' photograph from November 1966, which the author, Dr. Irwin Wieder, eventually admitted was a hoax. Wieder, despite impeccable credentials, was initially taken in by the photograph, which he later identified as a roadside sign photographed from a moving car. Stacy notes that the witness insisted on anonymity and that the investigator initially found the percipient to be 'distinguished looking.' Stacy concludes that one can be fooled by others and oneself, and that the investigator, Wieder, was not fooled twice.

On "Sensed Presences" and other matters by Filip Coppens

Filip Coppens discusses a study on 'sensed presences' that concluded stress is not a significant factor. He questions whether this applies to UFO abductions and apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Coppens suggests that 'sensed presences,' Men-In-Black phenomena, and the belief that aliens are monitoring abductees might be part of a coping mechanism for nightmares, hallucinations, or genuine UFO-abductions. He draws a parallel to people seeing the ghost of a departed relative, suggesting it could be a genuine presence offering comfort. Coppens also touches upon research linking early childhood abuse to the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex, and how introversion, fantasy-proneness, and left-handedness might relate to paranormal experiences. He posits that the brain's 'hardware' might function differently in individuals with paranormal experiences, possibly due to childhood events. He also mentions the Sylvian fissure's potential role in near-death experiences and questions whether different modes of limbic system function lead to seeing a different reality or the same reality in a different way.

S.P.A.C.E. Newsletter

This section describes S.P.A.C.E. (Support Program for Abductees' Contact Encounters), founded in March 1992 in New York City. It is a support and research group for UFO-experiencers, aiming to foster understanding, provide support, and offer professional resources. The group holds monthly gatherings and publishes a monthly newsletter written by experiencers.

The UFO Directory

This publication by Oasis Designs lists individuals, groups, organizations, and publications related to the UFO field. It is a biannual publication, 66 pages long, with 192 verified listings, six indexes, and five appendices. The price is $18 per year in the U.S.

NUFOC-FLASH!

This is an irregular publication from NUFOC-BELGIUM, a Flemish organization founded in January 1990 to investigate the UFO phenomenon seriously and critically. The first issue includes a review of Steven Greer's visit to Belgium and the editor's own ideas about the Belgian UFO flap.

Upcoming Talk at Dissociation Conference

David Gotlib is scheduled to speak about the UFO abduction experience at the International Society for the Study of Multiple Personality & Dissociation (ISSMP&D)'s Fourth Annual Spring Conference in Vancouver, BC, from May 5-7, 1994. His talk will cover clinical experience with abductees, connections between abduction and dissociative disorders, the use of hypnosis, and ethical issues. He notes a typographical error in the program title.

Contribution and Subscription Information

BAE is a networking newsletter seeking contributions and subscriptions. Subscriptions are $25 per calendar year for six bimonthly issues. Back issues are also available. Contributions can be sent to David Gotlib, M.D., at the provided Toronto address. The newsletter emphasizes that contributions remain the property of the authors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of research methodologies in ufology, the psychological aspects of anomalous experiences, and the importance of open dialogue and diverse perspectives. The editorial stance, as described by Hilary Evans, is 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.' The publication welcomes contributions regardless of agreement, as long as they are on topic, fostering a balanced and inclusive approach to the study of anomalous phenomena.

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, dated February 1994, Volume 5, Number 1, features a collection of articles exploring various anomalous phenomena, with a strong focus on the psychological and sociological aspects of these experiences. The cover headline is 'Features,' and the main update concerns False Memory Syndrome.

False Memory Syndrome Update

The issue begins with an update on the False Memory Syndrome (FMS), presenting responses from the psychiatric community. A letter from Dr. Leo H. Berman in The Psychiatric Times (January 1994) criticizes the FMS idea, viewing the False Memory Syndrome Foundation as an attack on patients rather than a pursuit of reality. He expresses concern about therapists becoming 'crusaders' and eliciting 'recovered memories' of sexual molestation, satanic cults, and alien abductions, warning that this can cause damage to patients, therapists, and the profession.

A commentary from Dr. Richard J. Metzner in the Los Angeles Times (December 1993) titled 'A Legitimate Therapy Suffers Rip-Offs' describes 'recovered memory therapy' as a marketing dream that taps into public awareness of sexual abuse. He warns that it can create artificial memories, making it a 'merchandising paradise' if the 'units' weren't human minds. Recommendations are offered for those unsure about sexual abuse, advising them to seek experienced psychotherapists and avoid self-described 'recovered memory therapists.' Patients feeling pressured are advised to discuss concerns with their therapist or report them to professional associations. Mental health professionals are urged to reassess their work to avoid fostering false memories.

The article also highlights 'The Retractor Newsletter,' a publication for individuals who have disavowed their 'recovered memories' of childhood sexual abuse. It includes personal statements, columns on psychotherapy, mind control, and cult behavior, and interviews. Subscriptions are $12 for 4 issues. A testimonial from Shawna describes her experience with Recovered Memory Therapy as the 'most destructive experience of all,' detailing how her reality was redefined by others, leaving her vulnerable to manipulation. She emphasizes the importance of understanding mind control mechanics to avoid repeating mistakes.

The Fantasy-Prone Personality Hypothesis: Current Status

Authored by Keith Basterfield, this article reviews the Fantasy-Prone Personality (FPP) hypothesis, initially proposed by Robert E. Bartholomew and Basterfield in 1988 as an explanation for alien abduction accounts. The hypothesis, originating from mainstream psychology, suggests that individuals with a high degree of fantasy proneness are more likely to report anomalous experiences. Research by Sheryl C. Wilson and Theodore X. Barber in the early 1980s identified characteristics of FPP subjects, including false pregnancies, vivid imagery experienced as real, ability to achieve orgasm through mental fantasy, belief in supernatural beings in childhood, imaginary companions, exceptional childhood memory recall, and reports of telepathic and precognitive experiences.

Bartholomew and Basterfield noted parallels between FPP characteristics and reports from UFO abductees, such as being 'excellent' hypnotic subjects and reporting 'missing fetuses.' They proposed that abduction experiences might be internally generated FPP imagery. However, studies by Kenneth Ring and Christopher Rosing (1990) and the J Allen Hynek Centre for UFO Studies (1992) did not fully support the FPP hypothesis as the sole explanation for abductions, suggesting that the phenomenon is multicausal.

Despite the mixed results, the article concludes that abductees are not typical of the general population and exhibit distinctive psychological traits. Other hypotheses, such as the Hopkins/Jacobs genetic engineering hypothesis, are also mentioned but not definitively accepted.

Seeing Things: The Meaningfulness of "Mass Hallucination"

Written by Steve Mizrach, this article examines the concept of 'mass hallucination' and its implications for understanding anomalous events. Mizrach argues that terms like 'delusion' and 'hallucination' are often used dismissively to explain away phenomena, assigning the null hypothesis. He critiques the overuse and under-explanation of 'mass hysteria' as a cause for events like flying saucer sightings or cattle mutilations, noting the etymology of 'hysteria' is rooted in sexist medical beliefs.

Mizrach distinguishes between misperceptions (like optical illusions) and hallucinations (perceptions of nonexistents). He notes that cognitive psychologists are still uncertain about how individuals hallucinate, and that while acute hallucinations occur before and after dream-sleep (hypnagogic and hypnopompic), they can also happen in altered states of consciousness. The article discusses how psychoactive chemicals like LSD can induce hallucinations, and how historical events like St. Anthony's Fire and witch-mania may have been linked to ergot poisoning.

The author explores the difficulty in distinguishing between mass misperception, mass delusion, and actual mass hallucination, citing the 'War of the Worlds' broadcast as a famous example. He questions how thousands of people could share the same hallucination across vast distances and time, suggesting that a parapsychological mechanism or some form of intelligence might be involved in projecting images into multiple brains. The concept of a 'collective unconscious' or a 'projector' is considered. An alternative possibility is that large numbers of people might simultaneously become aware of other realms of existence, which others, not in that state, perceive as hallucination.

Mizrach emphasizes that mass hallucination remains an unexplained event, even if it is not considered an event in the 'real' world, and may require paranormal explanations for full understanding.

Sightings in Mexico City: A CSETI Investigation

Authored by Dr. Joseph Burkes, this article details a CSETI (Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence) investigation in Mexico. CSETI aims to understand Extraterrestrial Intelligences (ETI) through techniques like 'vectoring in' spacecraft and peaceful interaction. The investigation took place near an active volcano in Mexico City.

During the investigation, the team observed amber-colored glowing globe-shaped objects behaving intelligently. When Dr. Greer signaled one object with a powerful light, it appeared to signal back. A triangular-shaped craft with white lights and a red beacon was also observed, described as being at least 300 feet across. This craft descended and activated powerful lights, responding to Dr. Greer's signals. Dramatically, all the team's photographic and video equipment malfunctioned during this encounter, suggesting an attempt to prevent documentation.

Another significant event involved two children who encountered a small grey-white being without ears or a mouth. The being communicated telepathically, warning of a volcanic eruption and a future war starting in New York. This account was of particular interest as the volcano, Popocatepetl, subsequently became active.

The article also mentions a sighting of a metallic disc flying towards the volcano and notes that the investigation was part of CSETI's efforts to establish peaceful, mutually beneficial relationships with ETI.

Evolution of Public Opinion on UFOs

This article by Robert J. Durant reviews Gallup and Roper poll data from 1947-1991 regarding public opinion on UFOs in the United States. It indicates that belief in the reality of UFOs became mainstream in the mid-1970s, with 51% of those surveyed stating UFOs are real. The article notes that this belief does not necessarily imply acceptance of the extraterrestrial hypothesis. Belief in sentient life in space also increased during this period. Public belief in UFOs peaked around 1978 and then declined. The author highlights that UFO proponents have 'won the war for public opinion,' with UFO believers outnumbering various demographic groups. The article suggests that the media and politicians often underestimate the prevalence of UFO belief, which is now a solidly mainstream belief.

The Extraordinary Encounter Continuum Hypothesis and its Implications for the Study of Belief Materials

This piece by Peter M. Rojcewicz, Ph.D., revisits the concept of the 'Extraordinary Encounter Continuum' (EEC) as an alternative to narrowly defining UFOs as solely 'flying saucers.' Rojcewicz argues that studies often confuse the structural and phenomenological natures of UFOs due to inadequate definitions and classifications. The EEC hypothesis posits that 'flying saucers' are part of a continuum with numerous other folk belief traditions and anomalous experiences, including encounters with nonordinary entities like extraterrestrials, fairies, apparitions, and energy forms. These encounters can manifest as abductions, out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, or shamanic journeys.

The article emphasizes that these traditions are discrete but related, displaying similar patterns of appearance and activity. The 'Reflective Principle' is discussed, suggesting that a percipient's personal values and cultural beliefs shape their nonordinary experiences, though this does not invalidate the potential reality of the event. The hypothesis argues that some belief traditions are so closely related phenomenologically that they warrant inclusion under the EEC umbrella.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of psychology, belief systems, and anomalous phenomena. There is a critical stance towards simplistic explanations for complex events, particularly regarding False Memory Syndrome and the dismissal of UFO experiences. The magazine appears to advocate for a more open-minded, yet scientifically rigorous, approach to studying these phenomena, suggesting that they are worthy of serious investigation and may require paranormal explanations. The editorial stance favors exploring hypotheses that acknowledge the complexity and potential reality of anomalous experiences, rather than resorting to immediate debunking.

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, dated February 1994, focuses on the experiences of individuals encountering anomalous phenomena, with a particular emphasis on the 'Extraordinary Encounter Continuum' and the validity of hypnotic age regression. The magazine features articles exploring the psychological and sociological aspects of these experiences, alongside personal accounts and a review of medical literature.

The Extraordinary Encounter Continuum

The issue introduces the 'Extraordinary Encounter Continuum' as a descriptive phenomenology and hermeneutical method to organize and explain human interactions with anomalous beings. This hypothesis posits that experience influences tradition and vice versa, suggesting a connection between various folk traditions and the interpretation of extraordinary events. It challenges the a priori rejection of anomalous experience reports, advocating for their investigation as potentially authentic manifestations that may point to the boundaries of orthodox scientific procedure.

Revelatory Experience

One key trait explored within the continuum is the 'Revelatory Experience,' common in accounts of 'flying saucers,' OBEs, NDEs, and shamanic journeys. These experiences, often involving encounters with beings of light or unusual lights, can lead to profound, lasting life impressions, personality transformations, and expanded perspectives. Betty Andreasson's account of her abduction experience is cited as an example of how such encounters can 'awaken' something within an individual, leading to a new identity and a deepened sense of life's meaning.

Frequently Recurring Traits

Beyond revelatory experiences, the article lists ten frequently recurring traits observed in anomalous encounters, including feelings of friendliness, being chosen, instruction/enlightenment, passing through material objects, journeys to nonordinary realms, and psychic manifestations. Only a subset of these are explored in detail in this issue, with others slated for future discussion.

From the Medical Literature: Hypnotic Regression

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to a literature review on hypnotic regression, particularly its application to childhood and infancy memories, a practice common in the abduction field. Several studies are summarized:

1. Hypnotic age regression and the autokinetic effect (Van Denburg): This study found that hypnotically age-regressed adults did not show a reinstatement of childlike performance on the autokinetic illusion, suggesting that while perceptions might be childlike, cognitions may not be.
2. A Study of the Effects of Hypnotic Regression on the Auditory Evoked Response (Aravindakshan, Jenner, Souster): This research indicated no change in auditory evoked response (AER) morphology in the direction of children's responses during hypnotic regression, suggesting it might be more akin to role-playing than a true reversion to an earlier developmental stage.
3. Age Regression to Infancy by Adult Subjects in Deep Hypnosis (Raikov): This experiment suggested that reproduction of infancy components under deep hypnosis is possible, leading to a change in consciousness and self-consciousness, and potentially objectifying the hypnotic state for psychological investigations.
4. Hypnotic age regression to the neonatal period: comparisons with role playing (Raikov): This study found that highly hypnotizable subjects reproduced realistic newborn reactions during age regression, more so than during role-enactment, suggesting a possible reactivation of lost memories.
5. Preliminary observations on age regression in multiple personality disorder patients (Kluft): This review suggested that age regression in MPD patients may lead to a restructuring of memory and self-representation, rather than recovering pristine data.
6. An investigation of the role of 'hypnosis', hypnotic susceptibility, and hypnotic induction in the production of age regression (Fellows, Creamer): This study found that high hypnotic susceptibility and hypnotic induction treatment were more effective in producing age regression than low susceptibility and motivational instructions.
7. Hypnotic age regression: An empirical and methodological analysis (O'Connell, Shor, Orne): This study found partial replication of previous findings, with tests amenable to expectation showing less replication. No evidence of hypermnesia was found, and behavioral validity in direct comparisons with children was moderate.
8. Hypnotic Age Regression in an Experimental and Clinical Context (Spinhoven, van Wijk): This study indicated that patients experienced more clinical age regression in a clinical context than in an experimental one, suggesting the importance of patient contact and maximizing responsiveness.

The review concludes that while hypnotic age regression is convincing and has therapeutic value, it is difficult to empirically demonstrate it as a literal reinstatement of childhood processes, often being interpreted as role-playing or a subjective experience.

Experiencers' Section

This section features a dialogue and personal accounts:

• "How Are Experiencers' Needs Being Met?" - The Dialogue Continues (Georgia Flamburis): Flamburis responds to comments by Richard Boylan, expressing concerns about researchers suggesting unproven theories to experiencers and the potential for media exploitation. She emphasizes the importance of non-biased investigation and allowing experiencers to interpret their own experiences.
• Sally's Story: A 60-year-old woman, Sally, recounts her history of anomalous experiences, including seeing unusual lights and objects, and precognitive and telepathic events. She shares an incident where she contacted a psychic healer who claimed to know about her physical health and past alien abductions, which caused her significant distress and a depressive relapse.
• Anomalous Experiences and an Anomalous Skin Lesion (Edward Carlos): Edward Carlos, an artist and professor, describes his own anomalous experiences, including visions and amnesia following a 'light fall' event in the Inner Hebrides Islands. He also shares a case concerning his daughter, who developed a peculiar 'scoop mark' on her hip after a shower, which was investigated by multiple doctors and found to be possibly morphea or localized scleroderma, with no known cause or treatment. The daughter also experienced color changes in the mark and related pain, and her boyfriend had a dream about alien abduction.

Other Contributions

The issue also includes a letter seeking information on scoop-marks, morphea, and similar skin problems, and a philosophical reflection on the nature of God and mystery by Peter Rojcewicz.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of anomalous experiences, the challenges of investigating and interpreting them, and the psychological impact on individuals. The 'Extraordinary Encounter Continuum' provides a framework for understanding these phenomena as potentially interconnected and significant, rather than dismissing them outright. The extensive coverage of hypnotic age regression highlights the ongoing debate about the reliability of recovered memories and the therapeutic versus empirical value of such techniques. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, seeking to understand anomalous experiences without necessarily validating them as objectively real or dismissing them as mere delusion or fabrication. The publication aims to bridge the gap between subjective experience and scientific inquiry, acknowledging the limitations of current scientific paradigms in fully explaining these phenomena.