Fraud Flashcards
Why may a subject carry out fraudulent behaviours?
To get attention through tv appearances
To get money
Why might a researcher carry out fraudulent behaviours?
To prove a theory they believe in but cannot get the evidence for
To make money
For fame
What study is relevant to fraud?
Randi - project alpha
What is project alpha?
An investigation carried out by former stage magician James Randi who was an expert in exposing fraud. He trained two young boys and had them present themselves as parapsychologists. They carried out ‘tricks’ including metal bending and mind reading. They were also instructed to be difficult to work with and refuse to cooperate with strict laboratory procedures. The researcher were very impressed with the results and described the boys as ‘gifted psychic subjects’
What were the results of project alpha?
The researchers were very impressed with the results and describe the boys as ‘gifted psychic subjects’.
What do the findings of project alpha illustrate?
The lack of control of research and how easily manipulated parapsychologists can be by skilled conjurors
What things may be fraudulent?
The subject (the source i.e the person of the psi phenomenon), the experimenter, or both acting in collusion
