DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.COMP1
Journal of Anomalistics 25-1 as PDF (4.1 MB)
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Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 5–14
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.005
Editorial
Parapsychology – an “Ultra-Soft Science?”
Parapsychologie – eine „Ultra-Soft Science“?
PDF full text (English, pp. 5–10)
PDF full text (German, pp. 10–14)
Main Articles
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 15–60
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.015
Macroscopic Complementary Relation Between Subjective Observations and Objective Measurements of Colors
Markus A. Maier, Moritz C. Dechamps
Abstract
In the Generalized Quantum Theory (GQT), a theory designed to describe psychophysical phenomena, the subjective and objective aspects of reality are considered to be complementary. The research presented here focused on investigating such a macroscopic complementarity between subjective and objective reality descriptions within the context of color assessment. In particular, the non-commutability conjecture of the GQT posits that two observables derived from the subjective and objective subsystems do not simultaneously provide specific eigenvalues. Rather, the act of measurement within one subsystem, e. g. the performance of objective measurements on a stimulus, modifies the state of the entire system, including the eigenvalues of the other subsystem, e. g. the subjective experience of this stimulus. This conjecture was tested empirically in four studies and in three overall analyses of the complete data set combining all four studies. The experimental manipulation involved a measurement variation of one aspect of the supposed complementary pair, namely the storage (non-erasure condition) or deletion (erasure condition) of objective color parameters (hue and lightness). It was anticipated that the erasure manipulation would influence the other part of the pair, namely the subjective evaluations of color with respect to brightness and likability. The primary hypothesis, which tested erasure-dependent effects on variations in subjective brightness scores was confirmed in Studies 1 and 2 but could not be replicated in Studies 3 and 4. The initial findings obtained with this dependent variable can thus be considered false positives and the primary hypothesis could not be confirmed. However, the second hypothesis, which tested erasure-effects on subjective likability mean scores revealed the following results: The exploratory findings from Studies 1 and 2, as well as the confirmatory findings from Studies 3 and the preregistered Study 4, indicated an erasure effect on subjective likability, whereby higher likability scores were observed in the non-erasure condition compared to the erasure condition in each study. Since the experimental design was intentionally contaminated by a “color bias” alternative explanation to stabilize the effect documentation, a clear causal erasure interpretation cannot be provided at the single study level. To overcome this contamination an overall analysis strategy was pre-planned and performed on the combined data set. Several overall analyses ruled out the “color bias” alternative explanation and another confound. In conclusion, the overall results provided evidence for an erasure effect on subjective likability supporting the model of GQT. This can be interpreted as macroscopic complementary relations between objective and subjective reality descriptions as proposed by the GQT. The implications of these findings for our understanding of the nature of reality and for the validity of the GQT are discussed.
Keywords
Generalized Quantum Theory, Macroscopic Complementarity, Macroscopic Non-local Entanglement Correlation, Psychophysical Interaction, Subjective-Objective Duality
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 61–118
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.061
Magic Flights or Mind’s Eye? Further Explorations of Dimensional-Slip Narratives
James Houran, Debra Lynne Katz, Jessica Williamson, Stanley A. Koren, Helané Wahbeh,
Marjorie H. Woollacott
Abstract
This case study examines the phenomenon of dimensional-slips, i. e., anomalous distortions or perceptions of spacetime that may involve transcendental content or themes. Our investigation specifically centers on “Nell,” a known ‘haunted’ woman who documented four experiences of perceived physical transports to other realms. Using a mixed-methods approach, we employed AI-assisted content analyses with secondary evaluations by subject matter experts to assess Nell’s experiences through the competing theoretical lenses of kundalini awakenings, physical mediumship, bilocation-related phenomena, and electromagnetic field (EMF) effects. Findings indicated strong alignment with EMF-related activity and, to some extent, bilocation phenomena, as compared to the other hypotheses explored here. Post-hoc accounts of different dimensional-slips experienced by Nell’s family members in the same geographic vicinity further hinted at the probable influences of environmental variables or behavioral contagion. Finally, we build on key literature cited in the study to introduce a continuum model of bilocation, integrating concepts from psychology, neuroscience, and parapsychology. There was no conclusive evidence that Nell physically moved anywhere, so our findings arguably point to the interplay among boundary-thinness, altered states, and environmental factors in her anomalous cognitions. These results underscore the need for further multidisciplinary inquiries into dimensional-slip narratives and their implications for consciousness studies. Future research should therefore incorporate controlled experiments and broader case studies to refine theoretical models of these extraordinary experiences.
Keywords
encounter experiences, haunted people syndrome, liminality, narrative reality, psi, spacetime
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 119–151
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.119
Transterrestrische Scham. Zur Konstruktion fiktionaler Alien-Bilder in Klassikern der englischsprachigen Science-Fiction-Literatur im 20. Jahrhundert
Noah Sproß, Andreas Anton
Abstract
This study analyzes classic works of 20th-century English-language science fiction literature with regard to the fictional construction of extraterrestrial beings. At its core is the thesis that depictions of aliens should essentially be viewed as reflections of social discourses, collective emotions, and self-descriptions. Using a comparative, hermeneutically grounded analysis of selected novels—including works by H. G. Wells, H. P. Lovecraft, Arthur C. Clarke, and Carl Sagan—the study examines how social fears, hopes, and cultural paradigms shape the artistic construction of fictional extraterrestrial entities. The analysis is conducted from a literary-sociological, emotion-sociological, and exo-sociological perspective and distinguishes three basic types of alien representations: hostile conquerors, superior beings, and benevolent leaders. It shows that extraterrestrial figures function as projection screens for transterrestrial shame – a feeling of inadequacy in the face of superior alien intelligence. This shame reflects not only identity crises and fears of loss, but also the desire for transformation, improvement, and spiritual expansion. Literary aliens thus appear as narrative tools for exploring human limitations in a biological, social, technological, and existential sense.
Keywords
science fiction literature, depictions of extraterrestrials/aliens, transterrestrial shame, literary sociology, exosociology
Book Reviews
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 152–155
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.152
Lance Storm (2025). A New Approach to Psi
Reviewed by: Marc Wittmann
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 156–159
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.156
Renaud Evrard (2024). Expériences de Mort Imminente
Reviewed by: Marc Wittmann
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 160–163
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.160
Elisabeth J. C. Warwood (2025). Behind the Medium’s Mask: Eileen Garrett’s Shadow Self
Reviewed by: Renaud Evrard
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 164–166
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.164
Chris Aubeck (Hrsg.) (2024). Letters of the Damned. The Forgotten Investigations of Charles Fort
Reviewed by: Ulrich Magin
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 167–169
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.167
Peter Kauert & Ulrich Magin (2022). Spuk-Orte in der Pfalz. Von Irrlichtern, Geisterhunden und Weißen Frauen
Reviewed by: Uwe Schellinger
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 170–176
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.170
Francesco Piraino, Marco Pasi & Egil Asprem (Hrsg.) (2023). Religious Dimensions of Conspiracy Theories. Comparing and Connecting Old and New Trends and Spells
Reviewed by: Meret Fehlmann
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 177–184
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.177
Volker Lechler (2025). Sterne, Menschen, Politik. Die astrologische Bewegung in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts
Reviewed by: Gerhard Mayer
Journal of Anomalistics 25 (2025), No. 1, pp. 185–194
DOI: 10.23793/zfa.2025.185
Abstracts-Dienst / Literaturspiegel
Frauke Schmitz-Gropengießer, Gerhard Mayer