The Parapsychological Association was formed in 1957 as a professional society for parapsychologists following an initiative by J.B. Rhine. Its
purpose has been "to advance parapsychology as a science, to disseminate knowledge of the field, and to integrate the findings
with those of other branches of science." It holds annual conventions, which are reported in its Proceedings, and the
proceedings of which are published annually as Research in Parapsychology.
In 1969 the Association took a giant step in advancing the field by affiliating with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The work of the
association is reported in the Journal of Parapsychology and the
Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research.
The Parapsychological Association was created in Durham, North Carolina, on
June 19, 1957. Its formation was proposed by Dr. J. B. Rhine
(Director of the Duke Laboratory) at a Workshop in Parapsychology that was held at
the Parapsychology Laboratory of Duke University. Using the occasion afforded by this
wide representation of the field, Dr. J. B. Rhine, Director of the Duke Laboratory, proposed that the group form itself into the
nucleus of an international professional society in parapsychology. The time could not have been more opportune nor the audience
more receptive.
Its first president was R. A. McConnell, then of the Biophysics Department,
University of Pittsburgh, and the first vice-president was Gertrude R.
Schmeidler of the Department of Psychology, City College of New York. Rhea
White was named Secretary Treasurer. Four others were elected to the Council, bringing the total to seven: Margaret Anderson,
Remi Cadoret, Karlis Osis, and W. G. Roll.
External Links
- The website of the Parapsychological
Association.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
