Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mental, behavioural and physiological nonlocal correlations within the Generalized Quantum Theory framework

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Axiomathes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Generalized Quantum Theory (GQT) seeks to explain and predict quantum-like phenomena in areas usually outside the scope of quantum physics, such as biology and psychology. It draws on fundamental theories and uses the algebraic formalism of quantum theory that is used in the study of observable physical matter such as photons, electrons, etc. In contrast to quantum theory proper, GQT is a very generalized form that does not allow for the full application of formalism. For instance neither a commutator, such as Planck’s constant, nor any additive operations are defined, which precludes the usage of a full Hilbert-space formalism. But it is a formalized phenomenological theory that is applicable whenever the core element of a quantum theory needs to be captured, namely in the presence of incompatible or non-commuting operations. As a consequence, it also predicts nonlocal, generalized entanglement correlations in systems other than proper quantum systems. In this paper we summarize the specific scientific evidence relating to the quantum-like mental, behavioral and physiological nonlocal correlations. Such non-local, generalized entanglement correlations are expected, both in space and time, between subsystems of a larger system, whenever observables pertaining to the global system are incompatible or complementary to observables pertaining to subsystems, as predicted by GQT. The result is a coherent explanation of a significant amount of controversial and seemingly weird occurrences that cannot be explained by classical physical laws. This review also offers a new perspective of the human mind’s potential.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. When measurements reported in original articles are not expressed in correlation units, such as for example Cohen’s effect size d or Hedges’ g, they are converted to the correlation coefficient r using the formula: r = [d 2/(d 2 + 4)]1/2.

References

  • Aharonov Y, Cohen E, Grossman D, Elizutr AC (2014) Can a future choice affect a past measurement’s outcome? In: Proceedings of the EPJ web of conferences, vol 70 (Les Ulis: EDP Sciences), 00038. doi:10.1051/epjconf/20147000038

  • Alcock JE (2003) Give the null hypothesis a chance: reasons to remain doubtful about the existence of PSI. J Conscious Stud 10(6–7):29–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Aspect A, Grangier P, Roger G (1982a) Experimental realization of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm Gedankenexperiment: a new violation of Bell’s inequalities. Phys Rev Lett 49(2):91–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aspect A, Dalibard J, Roger G (1982b) Experimental test of Bell’s inequalities using time-varying analyzers. Phys Rev Lett 49(25):1804–1807

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atmanspacher H, Filk T (2010) A proposed test of temporal nonlocality in bistable perception. J Math Psychol 54:314–321. doi:10.1016/j.jmp.2009.12.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atmanspacher H, Filk T (2013) The Necker-Zeno model for bistable perception. Topic Cogn Sci 5:800–817. doi:10.1111/tops.12044

    Google Scholar 

  • Atmanspacher H, Römer H, Walach H (2002) Weak quantum theory: complementarity and entanglement in physics and beyond. Found Phys 32:379–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atmanspacher H, Filk T, Römer H (2006) Weak quantum theory: formal framework and selected applications. In: Adenier G, Khrennikov A, Nieuwenhuizen TM (eds) Quantum theory: reconsiderations of foundations. American Institute of Physics, New York, pp 34–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Baptista J, Derakhshani M, Tressoldi P (2015) Explicit anomalous cognition. A review of the best evidence in Ganzfeld, forced—choice, remote viewing and dream studies. In: Cardeña E, Palmer J, Marcusson-Clavertz D (eds) Parapsychology. A handbook for the 21st century, McFarland

  • Bem DJ, Tressoldi PE, Rabeyron T, Duggan M (2015) A meta-analysis of 90 experiments on the anomalous anticipation of random future events. F1000Research 4:1188. doi:10.12688/f1000research.7177.1

  • Bösch H, Steinkamp F, Boller E (2006) Examining psychokinesis: the interaction of human intention with random number generators-A meta-analysis. Psychol Bull 132(4):497–523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capra F, Luisi PL (2014) The systems view of life. A unifying vision. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Einstein A, Podolsky B, Rosen N (1935) Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? Phys Rev 47(10):777–780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Filk T (2013) Temporal non-locality. Found Phys 43(4):533–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Filk T, Römer H (2011) Generalized quantum theory: overview and latest developments. Axiomathes 21(2):211–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Genovese M (2010) Interpretations of quantum mechanics and measurement problem. Adv Sci Lett 3(3):249–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giroldini W, Pederzoli L, Bilucaglia M et al (2016) EEG correlates of social interaction at distance. F1000Research 4:457. doi:10.12688/f1000research.6755.5

  • Gisin N (2014) Quantum chance: nonlocality, teleportation and other quantum marvels. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Giustina M, Mech A, Ramelow S, Wittmann B, Kofler J, Beyer J, Zeilinger A et al (2013) Bell violation using entangled photons without the fair-sampling assumption. Nature 497(7448):227–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hensen B, Bernien H, Dréau AE, Reiserer A, Kalb N, Blok MS, Amaya W (2015) Loophole-free Bell inequality violation using electron spins separated by 1.3 kilometres. Nature 526(7575):682–686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horodecki R, Horodecki P, Horodecki M, Horodecki K (2009) Quantum entanglement. Rev Mod Phys 81(2):865–942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahneman D (2011) Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Khrennikov A (2010) Ubiquitous quantum structure from psychology to finance. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kofler J, Brukner C (2013) Condition for macroscopic realism beyond the Leggett–Garg inequalities. Phys Rev A 87:052115. doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.87.052115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leggett AJ, Garg A (1985) Quantum mechanics versus macroscopic realism: is the flux there when nobody looks? Phys Rev Lett 54:857–860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mossbridge J, Tressoldi P, Utts J (2012) Predictive physiological anticipation preceding seemingly unpredictable stimuli: a meta-analysis. Front Psychol 3:390. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson R, Bancel P (2011) Effects of mass consciousness: changes in random data during global events. Explore 7:373–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson SJ, Ralph TC (2012) Extraction of timelike entanglement from the quantum vacuum. Phys Rev A 85:012306. doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.85.012306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pauli W (1957) Phänomen und physikalische Realität, Dialectica,11, pp. 36–48. English translation in Enz CP, von Meyenn K (eds) (1994) Wolfgang Pauli: writings on physics and philosophy. Springer, Berlin, pp 127–135

  • Paz JP, Mahler G (1993) Proposed test for temporal Bell inequalities. Phys Rev Lett 71:3235–3239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pothos EM, Busemeyer JR (2013) Can quantum probability provide a new direction for cognitive modeling. Behav Brain Sci 36:255–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radin D, Michel L, Galdamez K, Wendland P, Rickenbach R, Delorme A (2012) Consciousness and the double-slit interference pattern: six experiments. Phys Essays 25(2):157–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radin D, Michel L, Johnston J, Delorme A (2013) Psychophysical interactions with a double-slit interference pattern. Phys Essays 26(4):553–566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radin D, Michel L, Delorme A (2016) Psychophysical modulation of fringe visibility in a distant double-slit optical system. Phys Essays 29(1):14–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roe CA, Sonnex C, Roxburgh EC (2014) Two meta-analyses of noncontact healing studies. EXPLORE: J Sci Heal 11:11–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheidl T, Ursin R, Kofler J, Ramelow S, Ma XS, Herbst T, Zeilinger A et al (2010) Violation of local realism with freedom of choice. Proc Natl Acad Sci 107(46):19708–19713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlosshauer M, Kofler J, Zeilinger A (2013) The interpretation of quantum mechanics: from disagreement to consensus? Ann Phys 525(4):A51–A54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt S (2012) Can we help just by good intentions? A meta-analysis of experiments on distant intention effects. J Altern Complement Med 18(6):529–533. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schrödinger E (1935) Discussion of probability relations between separated systems. Proc Camb Philos Soc 31:555–563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Storm L, Sherwood SJ, Roe CA, Tressoldi PE, Rock AJ, Di Risio L (submitted). On the correspondence between dream content and target material under laboratory conditions: a meta-analysis of dream-ESP studies, 1966–2014

  • Tressoldi PE (2011) Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence: the case of non-local perception, a classical and Bayesian review of evidences. Front Psychol 2:117. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tressoldi P (2013) Does system 1 process both local and nonlocal information in intuitive judgment and decision making? Available evidence and a research agenda proposal. Psychology 4(11):798–803

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tressoldi PE, Khrennikov A (2012) Remote state preparation of mental information: a theoretical model and a summary of experimental evidence. NeuroQuantology 10(3):394–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tressoldi PE, Maier MA, Buechner VL, Khrennikov A (2015) A macroscopic violation of no-signaling in time inequalities? How to test temporal entanglement with behavioral observables. Front Psychol 6:1061. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01061

    Google Scholar 

  • Tressoldi P, Pederzoli L, Matteoli M, Prati E (in press) Can our minds emit light at distance? A pre-registered confirmatory experiment of mental entanglement with a photomultiplier. Neuroquantology. doi:10.2139/ssrn.2654264

  • Uzan P (2014) On the nature of psychophysical correlations. Mind Matter 12(1):7–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Vedral V (2010) Decoding reality: the universe as quantum information. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • von Lucadou W (2015) The model of pragmatic information (MPI). In: May EC, Marwaha S (eds) Extrasensory perception: support, skepticism, and science, vol 2., Theories and the future of the fieldPraeger, Santa Barbara, Ca, pp 221–242

    Google Scholar 

  • von Lucadou W, Römer H, Walach H (2007) Synchronistic phenomena as entanglement correlations in generalized quantum theory. J Conscious Stud 14(4):50–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Neumann J (1955) Mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics (No. 2). Princeton University Press, Princeton

  • Walach H, von Stillfried N (2011) Generalised Quantum Theory—basic idea and general intuition: a background story and overview. Axiomathes 21(2):185–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walach H, von Lucadou W, Römer H (2014) Parapsychological phenomena as examples of generalized nonlocal correlations—a theoretical framework. J Sci Exp 28(4):605–631

    Google Scholar 

  • Walach H, Horan M, Hinterberger T, von Lucadou W (in press) Evidence for a generalised type of nonlocal correlations between systems using human intention and random event generators. PLoS One

  • Wheeler JA, Zurek WH (eds) (2014) Quantum theory and measurement. Princeton University Press

  • Wigner E (1967) Symmetries and reflections, scientific essays. Indiana University Press, Bloomington

    Google Scholar 

  • Yearsley JM, Pothos EM (2014) Challenging the classical notion of time in cognition: a quantum perspective. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 281(1781):20133056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeilinger A (2005) The message of the quantum. Nature 438(7069):743

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Cinzia Evangelista for the English translation and revision and the two reviewers for their accurate revision of the paper and their detailed suggestions on how to improve its clarity.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Transkulturelle Gesundheitswissenschaften, Europa Universität Viadrina, Frankfurt, Germany

    Harald Walach

  2. Dipartimento di Psicologia Generale, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy

    Patrizio Tressoldi

  3. EvanLab, Florence, Italy

    Luciano Pederzoli

Authors
  1. Harald Walach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Patrizio Tressoldi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Luciano Pederzoli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrizio Tressoldi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Walach, H., Tressoldi, P. & Pederzoli, L. Mental, behavioural and physiological nonlocal correlations within the Generalized Quantum Theory framework. Axiomathes 26, 313–328 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10516-016-9290-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10516-016-9290-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation