| Abstract/Results: | ABSTRACT:
This paper will argue that anomaly prone-ness is fundamentally tied to the concept of boundary thinness. Boundary
thinness is a term borrowed from Hartmann (e.g., 1991) and refers to the extent to which neural structures, cognitive
processes (e.g., representations), social interactions (e.g., empathy) and cultural processes (e.g., focus on the
group rather than the individual) are inter-connected rather than separate.
A hierarchical/all levels approach to boundaries is important as different types of boundaries might relate differently
to spontaneous psi experiences. Some forms of boundary thinness may relate only to pseudo psychic experiences,
while others may relate to a mixture of pseudo and genuinely psychic experiences, whilst others may be potentially
related to instances of genuine psi. To date, there are few experiments which empirically explore how each form of
boundary thinness might impact upon spontaneous psi experiences.
It will also be argued that several superficially disparate psychometric measures and situations which are associated
with psi experiences are actually underpinned by boundary thinness. In addition, it will be argued that boundary
thinness is simultaneously a personality trait and a state of consciousness. As such, those who are hard wired
to be boundary thin should perhaps be reconsidered to be individuals who are more likely to enter boundary thin
states. This may allow for a parsimonious understanding of psi experiences — which can and do occur in everyone,
but may be more likely among certain individuals. In addition, this approach allows for greater insight into the possible
manipulation of boundary thinness, with a view to gaining greater control over anomalous experiences. For
example, a system that is too “thin” may be more associated with being overwhelmed with psi experiences.
Following this, it will be argued that there are actually healthy and unhealthy forms of one measure of boundary
thinness (positive schizotypy). This may only be ascertained by exploring how positive schizotypes score on other
psychometric variables. Interestingly, “healthy schizotypy” has recently been found to relate to evolutionary fitness.
As psi is associated with boundary thinness, it will be argued that psi may be the result of an indirect evolutionary
selection. This gives greater understanding regarding the purpose of psi as well as the continued existence of the
schizophrenia gene in the gene pool.
Finally, this paper will argue that personality and psi experiences should be considered in terms of interactionism/
situationism, and address how other variables may interact with boundary thinness in terms of the expression of psi
phenomena.
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