ABSTRACT


Fourteen unselected subjects were asked to influence the behaviour of an electronic random (binary) number generator (RNG) coupled to a minicomputer. The task of the subject was to increase the frequency of one of the two target alternatives. The behaviour of the RNG was fed back in a graphic form to the subject.

Unknown to the subjects 50% of the random numbers were recorded in computer memory before the experiment started. In total 13504833 binary numbers were generated and of these there were 2265 more in the target direction (p =0.026). Run durations of 4 and 6 seconds contributed most to this effect while the longer runs (9 and 12 seconds) contributed only slightly. Results are discussed in the light of a new theoretical apporach which amounts to an extension of quantum mechanics.