The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) is a nonprofit organisation based in the United Kingdom. Established in 1882, its primary objective is to understand events and abilities commonly described as psychic or paranormal. The SPR prides itself on being the first society to conduct organized scholarly research into human experiences that challenge contemporary scientific models. Since its inception, the SPR has not held any corporate opinions, meaning its members have a range of beliefs regarding the nature of the phenomena studied.
The organization was founded following discussions between journalist Edmund Rogers and physicist William F. Barrett in 1881, which led to its formal constitution in 1882 with philosopher Henry Sidgwick as its first president. The SPR has been instrumental in investigating, understanding, and sometimes debunking various psychic phenomena, and it has played a significant role in the study of parapsychology.
History
The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) was founded in 1882 in the United Kingdom. Its inception can be traced back to a discussion in 1881 between journalist Edmund Rogers and physicist William F. Barrett. This discussion led to a conference in January 1882, culminating in the formal establishment of the SPR with philosopher Henry Sidgwick as its inaugural president. The SPR was the world’s first organization dedicated to the scientific study of psychic or paranormal phenomena. Over the years, the SPR has been involved in various investigations, some of which led to the exposure of fraudulent mediums. The society has faced both criticism and support from different quarters, including spiritualists and skeptics. Throughout its history, the SPR has maintained its commitment to understanding events and abilities described as psychic or paranormal, without holding any corporate opinions on the phenomena studied.
Structure and Organization
The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) is a nonprofit organization based in the United Kingdom. Its primary objective is to understand events and abilities commonly described as psychic or paranormal. The SPR prides itself on being the first society to conduct organized scholarly research into human experiences that challenge contemporary scientific models. Importantly, the SPR does not hold any corporate opinions since its inception in 1882, meaning its members have a range of beliefs regarding the phenomena they study.
The structure and organization of the SPR are overseen by a President and a Council of twenty members. The society is open to the public, allowing anyone interested in its objectives to join. The SPR’s headquarters is located at 1 Vernon Mews in London, where it houses a library and office accessible to members. Additionally, the SPR has extensive book and archival holdings in the Cambridge University Library in Cambridgeshire, England.
In terms of publications, the SPR releases the peer-reviewed “Journal of the Society for Psychical Research (JSPR)”, the irregular “Proceedings”, and the magazine “Paranormal Review”. The society also organizes an annual conference, regular lectures, and two study days each year. Furthermore, the SPR supports the LEXSCIEN online library project.
The SPR has played a pivotal role in the study and understanding of psychic and paranormal phenomena, maintaining a balanced approach by neither endorsing nor dismissing such phenomena without evidence.
Functions and Operations
The Society for Psychical Research (SPR), based in the United Kingdom, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to understanding events and abilities commonly described as psychic or paranormal. The SPR’s primary functions and operations include:
- Research and Investigation: The SPR conducts rigorous research into psychic and paranormal phenomena. This includes studies on hypnotism, dissociation, thought-transference, mediumship, apparitions, haunted houses, and the physical phenomena associated with séances. The society has been instrumental in introducing terms like ‘telepathy’ to the English language.
- Publications: The SPR publishes several materials, including the peer-reviewed “Journal of the Society for Psychical Research (JSPR)”, the irregular “Proceedings”, and the magazine “Paranormal Review”. These publications disseminate the findings of their research to both the academic community and the general public.
- Exposing Fraud: A significant part of the SPR’s operations involves investigating and, where necessary, exposing fraudulent activities related to psychic and paranormal claims. Over the years, the SPR has revealed many fraudulent mediums and practices.
- Educational Events: The SPR organizes an annual conference, regular lectures, and two study days each year. These events aim to educate the public, share research findings, and foster a community of like-minded individuals interested in psychical research.
- Open Membership: The society is open to the public, allowing anyone interested in its objectives to join. This inclusivity ensures a diverse range of perspectives and experiences within the organization.
- Neutral Stance: Importantly, the SPR does not hold any corporate opinions. Since its inception in 1882, its members have expressed a variety of beliefs regarding the phenomena they study, ensuring an unbiased approach to research.
Controversy
The Society for Psychical Research Germany (SPR Germany) has been involved in various controversies over the years, much like its counterparts in other countries. One significant controversy revolves around the intersection of psychical research and the origins of academic psychology. In the late 19th century, psychical researchers were actively involved in the formation of academic psychology. However, many historians have overlooked this connection.
One notable episode in this controversy was the exposure of the medium Eusapia Palladino by the German-born Harvard psychologist Hugo Münsterberg. This event highlighted the strategies employed by psychologists in the United States to distance psychical research from scientific psychology. The traditional historiography of psychical research, which often portrayed its proponents as gullible or misguided, played a role in this distancing effort.
The relationship between academic psychology and psychical research was further complicated by figures like William James, who considered himself a psychical researcher and sought to integrate the scientific study of mediumship, telepathy, and other controversial topics into the emerging discipline of psychology. This stance was in stark contrast to other psychologists of the time, who viewed psychical research as a threat to the scientific and social order.
In the United States, students of Wilhelm Wundt, such as Hugo Münsterberg and others, strongly opposed James’ efforts to integrate psychical research into psychology. This opposition was not just based on scientific disagreements but also personal animosities. The aggressive rejection of psychical research was seen as a way to solidify the scientific identity of psychology.
Another significant figure in this controversy was Eusapia Palladino, a renowned medium of her time. While some researchers believed in her abilities, others, including Münsterberg, sought to expose her as a fraud. These exposures and counter-claims added fuel to the ongoing debate about the legitimacy of psychical research.
Conclusion
The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in the UK, founded in 1882, is dedicated to studying psychic and paranormal phenomena. Over its long history, the SPR has been pivotal in both validating genuine psychic occurrences and debunking frauds. While it has faced criticism from both believers and skeptics, its contributions to the field are undeniable. The SPR has introduced research methodologies, conducted experiments, and published extensive studies. In essence, the SPR stands as a significant institution in the exploration of the unexplained facets of human experience.