Word-Association Tests of Trance Personalities

Abstract

THIS method of investigation¹ has recently been continued and extended with the following results: 1. In a special experiment by Besterman and Gatty, the latter, acting as subject, was tested alternately in two poses or orientations of mind based on different aspects of his own life. No attempt was made to give different reactions to particular preselected words ; but, in spite of this, significant differences were found between the two states, as regards both reaction time and reproduction test. It follows that such differences are not, as I had at first supposed, evidence per se of the autonomy of the personalities compared. 2. Using the term controls to denote trance personalities specifically associated with the medium, as opposed to communicators which are specifically associated with the individual sitter, I find that there is a significant tendency for controls to show, in respect of rection time, the equivalent of a negative correlation—which I am terming countersimilarity —when compared with other personalities. Thus, of 10 comparisons involving Feda (Mrs. Leonard's control), 8 give a negative and 2 a positive result ; while of 12 comparisons not involving Feda only 1 is negative and 11 are positive. The chance of this disparity being fortuitous is less than 1 in 2,000.