Relating the NEO-PI-R to the Experience Claims of Experimental Subjects

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

This study analyzes data from a ganzfeld research program at the University of Edinburgh, linking psi experience claims to the Big Five personality domains and facets measured by the NEO-PI-R. Using data from 97 artists and musicians, the research tests whether a Psi Index of multiple psi claims correlates with Openness to Experience and the Fantasy facet, plus two altered-consciousness questions. Results confirm positive associations with Openness/Fantasy and specific time-loss awareness, while showing a negative link with Order, and highlighting family and upbringing histories of psi.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

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Psi Experiences and the “Big Five”

Relating NEO-PI-R factors to psi and dream-related claims

Predictions and statistical results using the Psi Index

# Relating the NEO-PI-R to the Experience Claims ofExperimental Subjects Nancy L.Zingrone,Carlos S.Alvarado and Kathy DaltonCentro de Estudios Integrales de Puerto Rico and University of Edinburgh Abstract:This study was based on an analysis of data collected for a ganzfeldstudy conducted at the University of Edinburgh (Morris,Dalton,Delanoy,&Watt,1995).In this study we attempted to relate psi experiences to the fivefactors and corresponding facets of the NEO-PI-R and to a variety of dreamexperiences,absorption experiences and other variables.We used data from 97artists and musicians recruited for the purpose of conducting ESP tests in theGanzfeld.We predicted that an index of claims of psi experiences wouldcorrelate significantly and positively to the Openness factor and to the Fantasyfacet of the NEO-PI-R,and that the Psi Index would correlate positively to twoquestions about spontaneous alteration of consciousness taken from aparticipant information form,namely losing sense of your surroundings and thepassage of time while engaged in an activity.Our predictions of a positivecorrelation between the Psi Index(a combined measure of the incidence ofseveral psi experiences)and openness to experience(r=.20,p=.02,one-tailed)and Fantasy(r=.22,p=.02,one-tailed)were confirmed.The Psi Index wassignificantly correlated to the question of losing awareness of the sense of time(r=.16,p=.05,one-tailed),but not to the questions about losing awareness ofsurroundings(r=.13,p=.10,1t).The Psi Index correlated significantly andnegatively with the Order facet of the Conscientiousness factor(r=-.29,p=.004,two-tailed).In addition,there were significant positive relationships betweenthe Psi Index and being raised in an environment with a tradition of paranormalabilities(t=3.03,p=.003,two-tailed,Cohen's d=.73)and having members ofthe family with psi experiences(t=3.01,p=.004,two-tailed,d=1.05).Theauthors encourage further research using the experiential claims of experimentalsubjects. In recent decades there have been manyquestionnaire studies that have attemptedto relate spontaneous parapsychologicalexperiences to a variety of psychologicalvariables.Some have studied ESP claimsand other phenomena in relation to dreamvariables such as recall,lucidity andvividness (e.g.,Haraldsson,Gudmunds-dottir,Ragnarsson,Loftsson,&Jonsson, # Psi Experiences and the“Big Five”: 1977;Kohr,1980;Palmer,1979;Usha &Pasricha,1989).Others have explored avariety of personality and cognitivevariables as correlates of parapsychologicalexperiences(e.g.,Alvarado &Zingrone,1997;Haight,1979;Irwin,1985;Nelson,1989;for a review see Irwin,1994 andStokes,1997).In this paper we report onour attempts to study personality variables,as measured by the NEO-PI-R(Costa &McRae,1992),with a group of creativeindividuals recruited to participate inganzfeld ESP testing at the KoestlerParapsychology Unit.Most of this workwas conceived as frankly exploratory,designed to uncover possible relationshipsto test in other experimental databases. PSI EXPERIENCES AND THE BIGFIVE We were particularly interested intesting for a possible positive correlationbetween psi experiences and Openness toExperience(OE),as measured by the abovementioned scale(NEO-PI-R).OE has beenconsidered to contain "active imagination,aesthetic sensitivity,attentiveness to innerfeelings,preference for variety,intellectualcuriosity,and independence of judgement"(Costa &McRae,1992,p.15).Individualshigh on OE“are curious about both innerand outer worlds,and their lives areexperientially richer.They are willing toentertain novel ideas and unconventionalvalues,and they experience both positiveand negative emotions more keenly thando closed individuals"(Costa &MacRae,1992,p.15).These characteristics seem tobe related to absorption,as measured byTellegen's Absorption Scale(Tellegen &Atkinson,1974).In fact,there is evidenceof a positive and significant relationshipbetween absorption and OE(Gliski,Tataryn,Tobias,Kihlstrom,&McConk

FAQs

How does the study connect the NEO-PI-R personality model to psi experience claims?

It tests whether an index of reported psi experiences correlates with NEO-PI-R Big Five factors, specifically targeting Openness to Experience and its Fantasy facet, along with related consciousness-alteration items.

What participant and data source does the research use?

The study uses data from 97 artists and musicians recruited to conduct ESP tests in the Ganzfeld at the University of Edinburgh, based on a prior ganzfeld study data set.

Which NEO-PI-R dimension shows the strongest negative relationship with the Psi Index?

The Psi Index correlates significantly and negatively with the Order facet of Conscientiousness (r=-.29, p=.004, two-tailed).

What background variables are associated with higher Psi Index scores?

Higher Psi Index scores are linked to being raised in an environment with a tradition of paranormal abilities and to having family members with psi experiences, both reported as significant positive relationships.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick