Expanding DOPS Research
Donate Today!
Click HereThe research faculty at Division of Perceptual Studies are seeking grants and private funding to support the following research initiatives. We thank you for your interest and contributions. Your generous donations make it possible to continue our ongoing research into extraordinary human experiences.
Donate Today!
Click Here- Study of American Children Who Claim to Remember Past Lives
For the first time, this study will include psychological evaluations of the parents as well as thorough investigation into the spontaneous statements regarding a previous life made by a young child. - Study of the Prevalence of Children’s Reported Past-life Memories
After a limited pilot survey in a rural and suburban area, it was found that up to 6% of American parents reported having a child who is spontaneously speaking about past-life memories. This was unexpectedly high and compels our research staff to engage in more thorough research into this finding. - Statistical Modeling and Analysis of the Children Who Remember Previous Lives SPSS Database
We propose to do more and varied statistical analysis of the over 2200 cases that have been coded and entered into the SPSS data base to discern patterns and trends regarding small children who remember previous lives.
- Detailed Case Studies of Near-death Experiences Occurring under Extreme Conditions
In this study we are particularly interested in well documented cases in which a person recovered quite unexpectedly from a life-threatening medical condition in which certain death was predicted by their doctors. It would appears that their near-death experience had a protective effect against the usual outcomes of these medical situations. - Near-death Experiences Statistical Modeling and Analysis
This study will utilize the SPSS data base containing over a 1000 cases of near-death experiences that have been coded using over 300 variables and have been entered into SPSS. Statistical models and analyses will be utilized to explore patterns and trends in these cases. - Near-death Experience Aftereffects Study
This study will be looking at the profound and lasting, very personal changes experienced by those that have an NDE. Changes in attitudes, lifestyles, and personality often occur. - Study of Cognitive Changes Associated with Near-death Experiences
We are interested in revealing more information about the relationship between physical brain and consciousness. This study will serve to shed further light on this complex relationship.
Numerous anecdotal reports have indicated that deathbed and hospice settings are replete with spontaneous unusual experiences that are profoundly relevant to the question of the survival of consciousness post physical death. Despite reports from family members and healthcare workers alike, very little systematic research has been done in this area-especially in the United States. Our goal is to extend the UVA DOPS research portfolio in this promising new direction.
- Deathbed Visions/Hospice Studies
This study would be the first of its kind to systematically study reports of deathbed visions by family members, the person dying and healthcare workers within the context of the hospice setting. - Hospice Follow-Up Study
This study would be looking at apparent after-death communications to bereaved family and friends from recently deceased persons. - Study of Deathbed Lucidity
Often, close to the time of death, a dying person who has organic brain damage through dementia or other disease processes, can demonstrate unexpected mental clarity shortly before physical death. We propose a systematic study of events and circumstances under which this occurs. We believe that a study of this type can further elucidate the nature of the relationship between mind and brain.
The term “psi” as used here denotes various kinds of anomalous interactions, not presently explainable in conventional scientific terms, between human individuals and their environments. Below are some of the psi research projects we are planning to pursue in our neuroimaging lab once funding is secured.
The hardware in our new laboratory facility enables synchronous sampling of up to 128 channels of EEG, together with additional physiological signals and signals derived from specialized sensors of various kinds. Extensive and sophisticated software resources have also been developed in-house for analysis and modeling of the resulting multichannel data.
- Neuroimaging studies of psi processes to identify conditions that lead to greater success on ESP and Psychokinesis tasks
- Experimental studies of psi-conducive altered states of consciousness such as deep meditative states, hypnotic and mediumistic “trance” and controlled “out-of-body” experiences
- Field studies of group psi effects that can occur with peaks of emotional intensity in group settings of various kinds such as in the group focus cultivated during improvisational singing or toning.
- Study of mediums which would include EEG and other physiological measurements while the medium is receiving information for a sitter.
Dr. Kim Penberthy is researching a variety of altered states of consciousness in part to assess and observe their potential to produce extraordinary abilities and experiences in participants that challenge the prevailing mainstream physicalist point of view. Specifically, she is interested in deep meditation including mystical, transcendent, and non-dual experiences, as well as extended forms of perception, such as out-of-body, precognition, clairvoyance, mind-matter interactions, and facilitated altered states.
- Studies examining the frequency and details of spontaneous extraordinary experiences. We will collect data on the rates of occurrence and descriptions of specific details in an ongoing manner. Standardized and expandable questionnaires and tasks will be implemented to collect data, and qualitative data analysis via software such as Deuce will be conducted to evaluate themes.
- After-Death Communications research with Salvia Foundation that is currently under way will be expanded, and we want to examine ADCs in order to determine content themes via Deuce qualitative analysis. This study will include descriptions of after death communications reported from around the globe.
- A systematic survey of self-reported of out-of-body experiences to gather information about the circumstances, the personality types, the frequency and the impact of out-of-body experience events.