THE MAHARISHI EFFECT - A MODEL FOR SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT - TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS OF A PHASE-TRANSITION TO REDUCED CRIME IN MERSEYSIDE METROPOLITAN-AREA

Time series analysis was used to test the hypothesis that Merseyside c rime rate was reduced by a group practising Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Tr anscendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programme. Previous research sugg ests that a phase transition to increased orderliness as evidenced by reduced crime rate should occur when the group size approaches the squ are root of 1% of the total population. Analysis of Merseyside monthly crime data and coherence group size from 1978 to 1991 shows that a ph ase transition occurred during March 1988 with a 13.4% drop in crime w hen the group size first exceeded the root 1% or Maharishi Effect thre shold (p < 0.00006). Up to 1992, Merseyside crime rate has remained st eady in contrast to the national crime rate which has increased by 45% . In 1987 Merseyside had the third highest crime rate of the eleven la rgest Metropolitan Areas ia England and Wales; by 1992 it had the lowe st crime rate, 40% below levels predicted by the previous behaviour of the series. There were 255,000 less crimes in Merseyside from 1988 to 1992 than would have been expected had Merseyside continued to follow the national crime trend. Home Office figures indicate savings to Mer seyside could exceed pound 1250 million for the five year period. Demo graphic changes, economic variables, police practice, and other factor s could not account for the changes.