Parapsychologists believe the "decline effect" shows
A) the consistency of positive results and adds credibility to the existence of ESP.
B) a run of luck.
C) cheating by participants.
D) that parapsychological skills are very fragile.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The "decline effect" refers to a decline in the strength or consistency of paranormal abilities over time, which suggests that parapsychological skills are very fragile and can be influenced by various factors such as fatigue, boredom, or lack of motivation. This contradicts the idea of a consistent and reliable ESP ability, and instead suggests that it may be more susceptible to error and variability. Therefore, option D is the best choice. Option A is incorrect because a decline in consistent positive results would weaken the credibility of ESP, not add to it. Option B is incorrect because the decline effect is not simply a run of luck or chance, but rather a systematic pattern of decreasing results. Option C is also incorrect because cheating by participants would not necessarily lead to a decline in results over time.

Parapsychologists Believe the "Decline Effect" Shows