Experiment sessions at the University of Oxford Parapsychology Laboratory and a hypnosis session undertaken by Abrams

Text written on the reel case: "Side 2 I BS 433 then Pete Seeger which ends at 639 Peter hypnosis 716 end at 140"

Recording of an experiment session at the University of Oxford parapsychology laboratory led by Steve Abrams, along with a recording of a hypnosis session. Contains one track on the first side of the reel and three tracks on the second side. Recorded at mixed speeds (1 and 3 3/4 ips)

- Side A, track 1: Steve Abrams, Peter Roberts and other unidentified men discussing "PK" (psychokenisis), synchronicity, probability, ESP (extra-sensorty perception) and spirituality. Around these discussions they undertake several experiments involving dice throwing and guessing which cards have been picked from a deck. (02:57:27)

- Side B, track 2: hypnosis session undertaken by Abrams on a man named Laurence (see also PP/SAB/A/3/20/3). The session wraps up at 01:42:25 and then cuts to a radio broadcast of various operatic arias. At 02:06:00 the recording cuts to Peter Roberts talking about the unconscious mind and good versus evil. (02:38:18)

- Side B, track 3: Steven Abrams, Peter Roberts and others discussing ESP, PK, precognition, good luck charms and symbolism. They undertake various experiments involving dice throwing and guessing which cards have been picked from a deck, as well as a word association exercise. There is talk at the end of Abrams publishing sections of these conversations and the ethics of letting other researchers see his observations. (02:56:35)

- Side B, track 4: begins with Abrams introducing the tape as "a continuation of the experiments on October 18th" and there is some overlap with track 1. Abrams and Roberts discussing the use of precognition to correctly pick cards and the winners in horse races along with a discussion about consciousness and "super truth". There is a lot of discussion about the best way to set up a drawing experiment, which is then undertaken. At 01:26:10 it cuts to a taped radio broadcast about Pete Seeger before cutting to another hypnosis session undertaken by Abrams at 02:07:17. (02:14:10)

A digitised version of the recording can be found at PP/SAB/A/3/20/1a

1960s

1 audio reel (10:46:30)

Please consult the digitised version as this item needs to be access onsite using specialist equipment. Email collections@wellcomecollection.org to request an appointment.