GRE课程
The hypothesis that paranormal phenomena are real but lie outside the limits of science is supported by considerable evidence. The Society for Psychical Research has collected stories of ordinary people apparently demonstrating paranormal abilities. Entirely anecdotal, this evidence has nothing to do with science, since it cannot be reproduced under controlled conditions. But the society took great trouble to interview first-hand witnesses and to document the stories carefully. One fact that emerges clearly from the stories is that paranormal events occur, if they occur at all, only when people are experiencing strong emotion. This would immediately explain why paranormal phenomena are not observable under the conditions of a well-controlled scientific experiment. Strong emotion is inherently incompatible with controlled scientific procedures.
Regarding the evidence collected by the Society for Psychical Research, which of the following can properly be concluded from the passage?
The society’s attempts to confirm paranormal phenomena using controlled scientific methodology have all been frustrated.
The society collected stories of paranormal phenomena with the intent of demonstrating the limitations of scientific methodology.
The society has not documented cases of people apparently able to produce paranormal effects dispassionately and under any given conditions.
Because the society scrupulously examines and documents the stories it reports, few charlatans attempt to convince the society’s members with fraudulent phenomena.
When investigation discredits what was claimed to be a paranormal phenomenon, the society does not publicly document the fact.
Select one answer choice.
