The History of Parapsychology and Psychical Research with Nancy L. Zingrone

Jul 15, 2025

Nancy L. Zingrone, a psychologist from the University of Edinburgh, teaches the early history of parapsychology and has led the International Journal of Parapsychology. She discusses colorful figures like William James and Marie Curie who pioneered the study of the paranormal. The conversation dives into the roles of women, such as Eleanor Sidgwick, in shaping the field and debunks myths surrounding parapsychology. Zingrone also addresses the tension between traditional science and paranormal research, and reflects on case studies versus experimental methodologies.

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INSIGHT

19th Century Scientists in Parapsychology

Early eminent scientists like William James and Fechner seriously engaged in psychical research.
Public and media skepticism obscured this rich history of scientific inquiry into paranormal phenomena.

ANECDOTE

OOBE Story of Nancy's Husband

Nancy L. Zingrone tells an OBE story about her late husband witnessing his accident while out of body.
He felt his consciousness separate and observe, which he initially thought wasn't real but later accepted as valid.

INSIGHT

Case Studies vs Experiments Divide

A divide existed between spontaneous case studies and experimental parapsychology led by J.B. Rhine.
Both approaches are essential to understanding the full scope of psi phenomena and consciousness.

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The History of Parapsychology and Psychical Research with Nancy L. Zingrone

Nancy Zingrone received her doctorate in psychology from the University of Edinburgh for her dissertation examining the debates concerning he legitimacy of parapsychology. She is joining the faculty of the California Institute for Human Science where she will be teaching the early history of parapsychology and psychical research. She is now a Core Distinguished part-time Professor in the J. F. Kennedy School of Psychology and Social Sciences associated with National University. She has served as executive editor of the International Journal of Parapsychology. She has twice served as president of the Parapsychological Association.

Here she speaks about the colorful figures who developed the methodologies for researching the paranormal. The discussion focuses on such luminaries as William James, Sir Oliver Lodge, Eleanor and Henry Sidgwick, Marie Curie, Louisa and J. B. Rhine, Margaret Mead, Cesare Lombroso, Eusapia Palladino, and many others. She also focuses on the role of women in parapsychology.

00:00:00 Introduction
00:05:19 Early pioneers
00:18:34 Case studies versus experiments
00:25:53 ESP After Sixty Years
00:30:47 Apparitions
00:35:32 Women in science
00:46:32 The legacy of Joseph Banks Rhine
00:52:35 Addressing the scoffers
01:02:50 Eleanor and Henry Sidgwick
01:09:06 Conclusion

New Thinking Allowed host, Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, is author of The Roots of Consciousness, Psi Development Systems, and The PK Man. Between 1986 and 2002 he hosted and co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series. He is the recipient of the only doctoral diploma in “parapsychology” ever awarded by an accredited university (University of California, Berkeley, 1980). He is also the Grand Prize winner of the 2021 Bigelow Institute essay competition regarding the best evidence for survival of human consciousness after permanent bodily death. He is Co-Director of Parapsychology Education at the California Institute for Human Science.

(Recorded on May 2, 2025)

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