A Brief Introduction to Bernard Spilka

Spilka, Ellen; Ladd, Meleah L.

doi:10.1080/10508619.2013.795796

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…A variety of small studies gave encouraging results (Dossey, 1993). However, subsequent large, well-funded (several million dollars total) studies by proponents of distant healing generally did not support the effect (Spilka & Ladd, 2013).…”

Section: Applications Of Psimentioning

confidence: 99%

Coming to Terms With the Psi-Trickster

Kennedy

2024

JSE

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The trickster concept has been proposed as a useful description of paranormal phenomena in response to nine decades of inconsistent experimental results and the inability to develop sustained practical applications of psi. However, the trickster of mythology is too diverse and ambiguous for scientific research. The term ‘psi-trickster’ is used here to refer to an active factor that makes psi effects inconsistent and unsustainable but can be investigated scientifically. My transition from optimism about psi experiments to reluctantly accepting the psi-trickster is described. The primary purpose of this essay is to describe strategies and options for research given the apparent psi-trickster. Strategies for dealing with the psi-trickster include: (a) hope that continued experimental research will overcome it; (b) accept the far-reaching implications of the usual assumptions for psi experiments and develop models of unconscious conflicting psi influences by many different people; (c) investigate the possibility that reliable psi effects occur in rare conditions, such as after many years of intense meditation practice; (d) propose physics-based models; and (e) consider that factors other than the motivations of living persons may be involved. Experimental psi research has the ultimate goal of converting psi to technology. Like other technologies, the most advanced development will be for military uses and for corporate profits. Spontaneous psi experiences tend to inspire a sense of meaning in life and a belief that the person’s life is watched over, similar to mystical and near-death experiences. The psi-trickster characteristics prevent psi from being converted to technology and preserve its mysterious, mystical aspects. An in-depth investigation is needed to understand how paranormal beliefs and experiences affect a person’s life and society as a whole. This is the first step in investigating the psi-trickster characteristics and should include the distribution of beliefs in the population for the full spectrum from skeptics to proponents.

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Section: Applications Of Psimentioning

confidence: 99%

Coming to Terms With the Psi-Trickster

Kennedy

2024

JSE

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“…Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of spirituality-centered cognitive therapy on body image, sexual function, disease perception, and intrusive thoughts in women after mastectomy. There is a rich body of literature on religion and spirituality (e.g., Hill et al 2000;Spilka and McIntosh 1996;Zinnbauer et al 1997). This research was conducted in Iran, where Islam is dominant.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effectiveness of Spirituality-Centered Cognitive Therapy on Body Image, Sexual Function, Illness Perception and Intrusive Thoughts in Iranian Women after Mastectomy

Sharifi,

Koenig,

Dadfar

et al. 2024

Religions

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Spirituality-centered cognitive therapy refers to the way in which people search for and express the meaning and purpose of their lives, as well as experience connection with themselves, others, nature, and spirituality. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of spirituality-centered cognitive therapy on body image, sexual function, disease perception, and disturbing thoughts in women after mastectomy. This was semi-experimental research, which was conducted via a pre-test–post-test method and had a control group. The samples included 85 women with breast cancer who had undergone mastectomy, and, based on the inclusion criteria, 78 individuals were randomly selected and were then divided into two groups (39 individuals in the intervention group and 39 individuals in the control group). The intervention group received eight 120 min sessions of spirituality-centered cognitive therapy, and the control group did not receive any training. Data were collected using questionnaires on illness perception, body image, sexual function, and rumination and were then analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measurements using SPSS-24. Before the training, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the scores obtained by the scales. After the intervention, the mean scores in all scales except sexual function were significantly different from the control group. Therefore, spirituality-centered cognitive therapy may be useful for improving negative psychological symptoms among women in Iran with breast cancer after mastectomy surgery.

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A Brief Introduction to Bernard Spilka

Cited by 2 publications

References 1 publication

Coming to Terms With the Psi-Trickster

Coming to Terms With the Psi-Trickster

The Effectiveness of Spirituality-Centered Cognitive Therapy on Body Image, Sexual Function, Illness Perception and Intrusive Thoughts in Iranian Women after Mastectomy

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