PLACE OF SPONTANEOUS CASES IN PARAPSYCHOLOGY

In modern times parapsychology has neglected the study of spontaneous cases for an emphasis on laboratory work. This means-centered approach to psi research has important consequences. One is that we do not kno w if our results can be generalized outside of the laboratory. In addi tion, our field is unable to answer many of the questions experiencers ask us, thus limiting the social usefulness of parapsychological rese arch. Increased attention to spontaneous cases may help us solve these problems. Moreover, some case studies allow for more sensitive and re levant study of particular issues and make possible the investigation of phenomena that cannot be studied in any other way. It is suggested that future research programs follow a converging approach where psi i s studied with different methodologies and in different contexts of oc currence. It is also important to recognize that both laboratory and c ase investigations have problems and advantages of their own and that their combined use may help the field more than their separate use. Pa rapsychology must understand the value and necessity of pluralistic ap proaches to the study of psi phenomena which, after all, occur both in life and in the lab.