Comments on the extraversion-ESP meta-analysis by Honorton, Ferrari, and Bem

This paper challenges the conclusion reached by Honorton, Ferrari, and Bem in their meta-analysis that the relationship between ESP and extraversion s cores is an artifact attributable to some subjects completing the extravers ion scale after learning their ESP scores. After noting that personality sc ales are generally constructed so as to not be susceptible to situational b iases, the authors demonstrate that in the database in question, order is h ighly confounded with whether subjects were tested individually or in group s (test setting). Additional analyses, including multiple regression, demon strated that the order effect upon the extraversion-ESP relationship is its elf an artifact of test setting, which remains a significant mediator of th e relationship when order is partialled out. Furthermore, four series in th e database which provide a relatively unconfounded test of the order hypoth esis yielded significant and comparable extraversion-ESP correlations irres pective of test order. Because test setting, unlike test order, is not a me thodological flaw, the authors' analyses imply that the extraversion-ESP re lationship for forced-choice ESP tests is a valid psi effect. Finally, it i s pointed out that when group testing studies are eliminated, the extravers ion-ESP relationship :is of comparable magnitude for forced-choice and free -response ESP tests.