Extra-Sensory Perception

by Joseph Banks Rhine

Joseph Banks Rhine (September 29, 1895 – February 20, 1980) (usually known as J. B. Rhine) was a pioneer of parapsychology. Rhine founded the parapsychology lab at Duke University, the Journal of Parapsychology, and the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man. He also initiated the Parapsychological Association.Rhine, along with William McDougall, coined the term "parapsychology" (translating a German term introduced by Max Dessoir). It is sometimes said that Rhine almost single-handedly developed a methodology and concepts for parapsychology as a form of experimental psychology; however great his contributions, some earlier work along similar — analytical and statistical — lines had been undertaken sporadically in Europe, notably the experimental work of Sir Oliver Lodge.

Rhine founded the institutions necessary for parapsychology's continuing professionalization in the U.S. — including the establishment of the Journal of Parapsychology and the formation of the Parapsychological Association, and also the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man (FRNM), a precursor to what is today known as the Rhine Research Center. His parapsychology research organization was originally affiliated with Duke University, but is now separate.

Genres: Psychology, Science, Paranormal

494 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

J. B. Rhine was an American botanist who founded scientific research in parapsychology as a branch of psychology, founding the parapsychology lab at Duke University, the Journal of Parapsychology, the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man, and the Parapsychological Association.

Reviews

[Romuald Dzemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extra-Sensory Perception by Joseph Banks Rhine is a groundbreaking, scientific work that will surprise the world. In a field where there are no absolutes and no certainty, where there has been a lot of speculation, Dr. Rhine comes across as an expert, offering to readers the fruits of long years of research, facts about topics that still appear, to many people, obscure. Readers will gain a lot of understanding into concepts like telepathy and precognition.

I was first attracted to the gorgeous cover of this well-written book, and out of curiosity, I bought it. I don't regret the choice, because the book turned out to be an eye-opener in a subject I have merely read about in sci-fi. In clear and powerful prose, the author demystifies the myths about extra-sensory perception and demonstrates that things like telepathy and perception without the senses are infinitely possible. In fact, it's a skill that can be developed.

What makes this work so compelling is that it comes as a result of a huge number of experiments and research, a work that should be considered a milestone, a surprising breakthrough in an area of science where few people want to experiment. Extra-Sensory Perception is highly informative and readers can be sure it will alter the way they approach perception.

[Andy Kurzweil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the classic study of ESP by J.B. Rhine using the Zener cards (plus, circle, square, star and wavy lines). I found it an interesting read despite all the statistics. Some good discussion of the nature of ESP based on the results. The hard core skeptics won't be convinced, but if you're open to the possibility that ESP exists, I recommend this book.