A paradigm shift away from the ESP-PK dichotomy: The theory of psychopraxia

The traditional view in parapsychology is that ESP and PK are separate and distinct categories of psi. However, M. A. Thalbourne's (1982, in press) th eory of psychopraxia is put forward as an alternative interpretation of the paranormal that assumes there is no necessity for making that distinction. Central to this theory are 4 components: the self; the so-called pro attit ude, or preference for a particular outcome; the set of necessary condition s which, together with the pro attitude, are sufficient for the outcome; an d the outcome, or goal state itself. Psychopraxia may operate endosomatical ly or, as considered in the present case, exosomatically as psi. An examina tion of 12 major meta-analyses covering 9 paranormal domains is presented a s evidence that the mean effect sizes (here taken as "norms") cannot be dif ferentiated by their magnitude alone in terms of ESP and PR categories. The evidence from these mete-analyses supports instead the single paranormal p rocess postulated in the theory of psychopraxia. It is further argued that the absence of perceived complexity (a psychological state) in regard to th e mechanical setup of the experiment is a necessary condition conducive to psychopraxia. Theoretical, experimental, and meta-analytic findings support the psychopractic hypothesis that the ESP-PK dichotomy is untenable.