An Empirical Investigation of Alleged Mediumistic Writing A Case Study of Chico Xavier's Letters

Author(s)

Parana, Denise ^[1] ; Rocha, Alexandre Caroli ^[2] ; Freire, Elizabeth Schmitt ^[2] ; Neto, Francisco Lotufo ^[1] ; Moreira-Almeida, Alexander ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, PROSER, Inst Psychiat, Sch Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Juiz de Fora, NUPES Res Ctr Spiritual & Hlth, Sch Med, Juiz De Fora - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASE; v. 207, n. 6, p. 497-504, JUN 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The scientific study of mediumship can contribute to the understanding of the mind-brain relationship. This study investigated a letter written by the influential Brazilian ``medium{''} Chico Xavier, whose authorship was attributed to a deceased person. We identified the letter's pieces of information that were objectively verifiable, and we analyzed their accuracy based on documents and on interviews with the deceased's relatives, and the likelihood of Xavier's access to the information via ordinary means. All the 29 items of verifiable information conveyed on the letter were rated as `` clear and precise fit.{''} The information conveyed was highly specific (e.g., names, dates, and specific events). Fourteen items (48.3%) conveyed information that was also very private. We concluded that ordinary explanations for accuracy of the information (i.e., fraud, chance, information leakage, and cold reading) were highly unlikely. We recommend further research on the phenomenon of mediumistic writing, particularly experimental controlled studies with exceptionally gifted mediums. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/11047-0 - Mind-body relationship: a study about the presumed communication between the living and the dead, through the psychographic letters channeled by Francisco Candido Xavier
• Grantee: Alexandre Caroli Rocha
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral