Examining Retroactive Facilitation of Recall: an Adapted Replication of Bem (2011, Study 9) and Galak and Nelson (2010)

Abstract

The author performed a procedure to test precognitive features of word recall termed “Retroactive Facilitation of Recall” in Bem (2011) by adapting the failed replication procedure performed by Galak and Nelson (2010.) Despite enhancing subjects’ opportunities to demonstrate the effect using handwritten practice scenarios, this small group of UFO and paranormal enthusiasts failed to replicate the phenomenon as well. This paper provides a brief description of similarities and differences between Bem’s study #8 and #9, and a description of how Galak and Nelson’s procedures were adapted in this study. We conducted (1) an informal demonstration of the effect during an on-air radio broadcast with a single in-studio subject and (2) an experimental procedure using volunteer subjects in a joint meeting of the Omaha UFO Study Group, University of Nebraska at Omaha UFO Study Group, and chapter meeting of Nebraska MUFON, who agreed to collective administration of Galak and Nelson’s online interactive website application.

Keywords: Psi, Precognition, ESP, UFO