An implicit and explicit assessment of morphic resonance theory using Chinese characters
Journal article
Vernon, D., Hitchman, G. and Roe, C. 2021. An implicit and explicit assessment of morphic resonance theory using Chinese characters. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. 85 (3), pp. 129-143.
Authors | Vernon, D., Hitchman, G. and Roe, C. |
---|---|
Abstract | Learning and memory have traditionally been assumed to be solely reliant on cortical functioning. However, the transmission of acquired habits and transgenerational memory effects challenge this assumption. A complementary view is that learning and memory may also be supported by some form of interaction, or resonance, that takes place between the individual and a wider morphic field which contains information that may be able to shape learning and memory. It has been suggested that information from such a morphic field could influence an individual’s ability to respond to an unfamiliar language which has a large number of past speakers. This has been tested using non-Chinese speaking individuals presented with real and decoy Chinese characters. However, the outcomes have been equivocal. Hence, the aim of the current study was to examine and extend this research by utilising and comparing performance from implicit and explicit tasks. The predictions were that participants should implicitly prefer real Chinese characters and explicitly identify real Chinese characters at levels greater than chance. An opportunity sample of 154 participants completed an implicit preference task and an explicit identification task online with task order counterbalanced. In each task participants were shown, in a random order, 12 pairs of characters (one real and one decoy). In the implicit task they were required to identify which of the characters they preferred and in the explicit task they were asked to identify which of the pair was the real character. Measures of belief in psi were also obtained. The results showed that, contrary to the prediction, participants significantly preferred the decoy Chinese characters. There was no difference in explicit identification rates and no correlations between performance and belief in psi. These findings fail to support the idea of morphic resonance and are more parsimoniously accounted for in terms of an aesthetic preference for the decoy characters. |
Keywords | Morphic resonance ; Chinese characters; Morphic field |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Journal of the Society for Psychical Research |
Journal citation | 85 (3), pp. 129-143 |
Publisher | Society for Psychical Research |
ISSN | 2515-1916 |
Related URL | https://www.spr.ac.uk/publicationsrecordingswebevents/journal-society-psychical-research |
Publication dates | |
Online | 01 Jun 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 24 Nov 2022 |
Publisher's version | License |
Output status | Published |
https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/93239/an-implicit-and-explicit-assessment-of-morphic-resonance-theory-using-chinese-characters
Download files
142
total views117
total downloads3
views this month4
downloads this month
Export as
Related outputs
Testing home dream precognition and exploring links to psychological factors
Vernon, D., Roxburgh, E. C. and Schofield, M. B. 2024. Testing home dream precognition and exploring links to psychological factors. International Journal of Dream Research.Exploring the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and dream precognition.
Vernon, D., Roxburgh, E. and Schofield, M. B. 2023. Exploring the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and dream precognition.An online survey investigating sensory processing sensitivity, transliminality, and boundary-thinness as predictors of anomalous experience and belief
Roxburgh, E. C., Vernon, D. and Schofield, M. B. 2023. An online survey investigating sensory processing sensitivity, transliminality, and boundary-thinness as predictors of anomalous experience and belief.Exploring cognitive processes used by mediums during alleged communication with the deceased
Connelly, C., Vernon, D. and Cane, J. 2023. Exploring cognitive processes used by mediums during alleged communication with the deceased. Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition (JAEX).Using virtual reality to test for telepathy: A proof-of-concept study
Vernon, D. 2020. Using virtual reality to test for telepathy: A proof-of-concept study. Journal of Scientific Exploration. 34 (4), pp. 683-702. https://doi.org/10.31275/2020/1833Dark cognition: Evidence of psi and its implications for consciousness
Vernon, D. 2020. Dark cognition: Evidence of psi and its implications for consciousness. London Taylor & Francis.Measuring precognitive effects using a fast implicit and fast explicit task
Vernon, D. 2019. Measuring precognitive effects using a fast implicit and fast explicit task.A test of telepathy using immersive virtual reality
Vernon, D., Sandford, T. and Moyo, E. 2019. A test of telepathy using immersive virtual reality.Testing precognition using a novel computer driving game
Vernon, D. and Ivencevic, L. 2018. Testing precognition using a novel computer driving game.Precognitive priming of compound remote associates: using an implicit creative insight task to elicit precognition
Vernon, D. 2018. Precognitive priming of compound remote associates: using an implicit creative insight task to elicit precognition.Test of reward contingent precall
Vernon, D. 2018. Test of reward contingent precall. Journal of Parapsychology. 82 (1), pp. 8-23. https://doi.org/10.30891/jopar.2018.01.02.![](/~419/qpk/default-thumbnail.png)
Further explorations of enhancing creative problem solving via structured thinking techniques
Hocking, I. and Vernon, D. 2017. Further explorations of enhancing creative problem solving via structured thinking techniques.The right tool for the right task: structured techniques prove less effective on an ill-defined problem finding task
Hocking, I. and Vernon, D. 2017. The right tool for the right task: structured techniques prove less effective on an ill-defined problem finding task. Thinking Skills and Creativity. 26, pp. 84-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2017.08.001Testing to see whether participants with high levels of belief in psi can precall highly emotive images
Vernon, D. 2017. Testing to see whether participants with high levels of belief in psi can precall highly emotive images.Attempting to elicit a precall effect using emotive images and participants with high levels of belief in psi
Vernon, D. 2017. Attempting to elicit a precall effect using emotive images and participants with high levels of belief in psi. Journal of Consciousness Studies. 24 (11-12), pp. 216-237.Exploring the effect of a contingent cash based reward on the precall of arousing images
Vernon, D. 2017. Exploring the effect of a contingent cash based reward on the precall of arousing images.How to win the lottery: Can using precall help in radomized prize draws?
Vernon, D. 2017. How to win the lottery: Can using precall help in radomized prize draws? Paranormal Review. Spring (82), p. 23.The golden path: first steps in establishing order for two creative problem solving techniques
Hocking, I. and Vernon, D. 2017. The golden path: first steps in establishing order for two creative problem solving techniques. Edinburgh Napier UniversityEnhancing creative problem solving and creative self-efficacy: a preliminary study
Dempster, T., Hocking, I., Vernon, D. and Snyder, H. 2017. Enhancing creative problem solving and creative self-efficacy: a preliminary study. Edinburgh Napier UniversityExploring precall using arousing images and utilising a memory recall practise task on-line
Vernon, D. 2017. Exploring precall using arousing images and utilising a memory recall practise task on-line. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research.A bridge too far: conceptual distance and creative ideation
Hocking, I. and Vernon, D. 2017. A bridge too far: conceptual distance and creative ideation. Creativity: Theories, Research, Applications. 4 (2), pp. 333-352. https://doi.org/10.1515/ctra-2017-0017![](/~419/qpk/default-thumbnail.png)
A matter of perspective: the impact of near and far conceptual distance on creative problem solving
Hocking, I. and Vernon, D. 2016. A matter of perspective: the impact of near and far conceptual distance on creative problem solving.![](/~419/qpk/default-thumbnail.png)
Which cues work best? An examination of two structured thinking tools using eye-tracking analysis
Hocking, I., Vernon, D., Rehal, N. and Valkova, M. 2016. Which cues work best? An examination of two structured thinking tools using eye-tracking analysis.Exploring precall using arousing images and utilising a memory recall practice task on-line
Vernon, D. 2016. Exploring precall using arousing images and utilising a memory recall practice task on-line.Either here or there: exploring conceptual distance using a novel clock face paradigm in a creative problem solving task
Vernon, D. and Hocking, I. 2016. Either here or there: exploring conceptual distance using a novel clock face paradigm in a creative problem solving task.Six Thinking Hats vs. Six Good Men: does the order of the elements matter?
Vernon, D. and Hocking, I. 2016. Six Thinking Hats vs. Six Good Men: does the order of the elements matter?The influence of self-regulation technique on the efficiency of voluntary increasing alpha power training
Bazanova, O., Lazareva, O. and Vernon, D. 2014. The influence of self-regulation technique on the efficiency of voluntary increasing alpha power training.Neurofeedback: reviewing the methodology
Bazanova, O. and Vernon, D. 2014. Neurofeedback: reviewing the methodology.Comparing the effectiveness of subliminal single-word, and multi-word primes on working memory performance
Reeves, S. and Vernon, D. 2014. Comparing the effectiveness of subliminal single-word, and multi-word primes on working memory performance.An evidence-based review of creative problem solving tools: a practitioner’s resource
Vernon, D., Hocking, I. and Tyler, T. 2016. An evidence-based review of creative problem solving tools: a practitioner’s resource. Human Resource Development Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484316641512Beyond belief: structured techniques prove more effective than a placebo intervention in a problem construction task
Vernon, D. and Hocking, I. 2016. Beyond belief: structured techniques prove more effective than a placebo intervention in a problem construction task. Thinking Skills and Creativity. 19, pp. 153-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2015.10.009Applying structured techniques in a problem construction task
Hocking, I. and Vernon, D. 2015. Applying structured techniques in a problem construction task. University of Toronto![](/~419/qpk/default-thumbnail.png)
Thinking hats and good men: structured techniques in a problem finding task
Hocking, I. and Vernon, D. 2014. Thinking hats and good men: structured techniques in a problem finding task. University of Nottingham![](/~419/qpk/default-thumbnail.png)