Key Points Regarding Replications
1. Limit the number of items processed by each participant
It is vital that the number of items processed by each individual participant be limited. Prior research indicates a reversal of subliminal priming effects can occur after as little as 170 trials (Przekoracka-Krawczyk & Jaskowski, 2007). This reversal effect is thought to be due to perceptual learning, an automatic attunement to the primes over time, which one can also conclude could entangle them with the consciousness of the participants in the unobserved conditions. This has the potential to spoil the test.
Furthermore, an analysis of the four published experiments (along with data from two additional unpublished experiments) similarly indicates that individuals produced less CCC effects the on the later trials as compared to earlier ones. It should be noted that the reversal process documented in Przekoracka-Krawczyk & Jaskowski (2007) was based on designs that contained only two primes options and two stimulus options. The current published work on the CCC pertaining to even and odd numbers contains nine prime options (i.e., the numbers 1-9) and nine stimulus options. Therefore, it would be expected that a participant could participate in more trials before the reversal effects would eventually manifest. To be conservative about avoiding this learning effect, limiting the number items processed by any one individual to no more than 250 would be ideal.
2. The primes and stimulus items must be abstract.
Primes and Stimulus items must be abstract to prevent against directional response impulses. Previous pilot studies of the current experimental paradigm were conducted where stimulus primes created large effects in the unobserved condition. The difference between the design of these studies and the present research is that the current response modality is abstract, rather than purely directional. If the response task is contrived in a way such that the participant is required to hit the “A” or the “L” key depending on which way a directional symbol such as “<” or “>” is pointing, and the primes also consist of those directional symbols, then it was thought that the prime alone was producing a directional response impulse that was being consciously experienced by the participants. In other words, it was thought that the primes produced a directional impulse in participants that started them leaning one way or another, to the right or the left depending on the direction of the symbol “<” or “>”. This impulse, this conscious feeling of needing to go to the right or the left, was presumably collapsing the wave function, and preventing the realization of an actual unobserved condition. This was corrected in the current study. By changing the items and the primes to numbers, directionality was eliminated in the visual stimuli.
3. Protect the unobserved primes
The unobserved primes are, for lack of a better term, “delicate”. Any link to consciousness, even if it is at the end of a chain of events, has the potential to cause an unwanted collapse. Researchers should be able to avoid these with reasonable diligence, as it was able to be avoided in these studies. For example, using a local source of quantum numbers, such as a Geiger counter with an isolated and independent source of radioactive decay is key. Also, while all of these experiments were being run, the WIFI to the laptop was disabled. In all of these studies Geiger counter data was captured and pasted in the code one trial at a time. Once the observed and the unobserved primes were pasted in the code over two consecutive gathering windows, the laptop was immediately presented to the participant who started the response time task. Each trial was prepared and completed one at a time.
It is vital that the number of items processed by each individual participant be limited. Prior research indicates a reversal of subliminal priming effects can occur after as little as 170 trials (Przekoracka-Krawczyk & Jaskowski, 2007). This reversal effect is thought to be due to perceptual learning, an automatic attunement to the primes over time, which one can also conclude could entangle them with the consciousness of the participants in the unobserved conditions. This has the potential to spoil the test.
Furthermore, an analysis of the four published experiments (along with data from two additional unpublished experiments) similarly indicates that individuals produced less CCC effects the on the later trials as compared to earlier ones. It should be noted that the reversal process documented in Przekoracka-Krawczyk & Jaskowski (2007) was based on designs that contained only two primes options and two stimulus options. The current published work on the CCC pertaining to even and odd numbers contains nine prime options (i.e., the numbers 1-9) and nine stimulus options. Therefore, it would be expected that a participant could participate in more trials before the reversal effects would eventually manifest. To be conservative about avoiding this learning effect, limiting the number items processed by any one individual to no more than 250 would be ideal.
2. The primes and stimulus items must be abstract.
Primes and Stimulus items must be abstract to prevent against directional response impulses. Previous pilot studies of the current experimental paradigm were conducted where stimulus primes created large effects in the unobserved condition. The difference between the design of these studies and the present research is that the current response modality is abstract, rather than purely directional. If the response task is contrived in a way such that the participant is required to hit the “A” or the “L” key depending on which way a directional symbol such as “<” or “>” is pointing, and the primes also consist of those directional symbols, then it was thought that the prime alone was producing a directional response impulse that was being consciously experienced by the participants. In other words, it was thought that the primes produced a directional impulse in participants that started them leaning one way or another, to the right or the left depending on the direction of the symbol “<” or “>”. This impulse, this conscious feeling of needing to go to the right or the left, was presumably collapsing the wave function, and preventing the realization of an actual unobserved condition. This was corrected in the current study. By changing the items and the primes to numbers, directionality was eliminated in the visual stimuli.
3. Protect the unobserved primes
The unobserved primes are, for lack of a better term, “delicate”. Any link to consciousness, even if it is at the end of a chain of events, has the potential to cause an unwanted collapse. Researchers should be able to avoid these with reasonable diligence, as it was able to be avoided in these studies. For example, using a local source of quantum numbers, such as a Geiger counter with an isolated and independent source of radioactive decay is key. Also, while all of these experiments were being run, the WIFI to the laptop was disabled. In all of these studies Geiger counter data was captured and pasted in the code one trial at a time. Once the observed and the unobserved primes were pasted in the code over two consecutive gathering windows, the laptop was immediately presented to the participant who started the response time task. Each trial was prepared and completed one at a time.
Experimental Procedures
1.) Hardware Set Up:
a. Obtain the following:
Sample of Uranium Ore Purchase Link, Geiger Counter Amazon Purchase Link, Arduino Board Amazon Purchase Link,
Wires Amazon Purchase Link
b. Set up the apparatus.
Connect the GND on Arduino to the GND on the Geiger counter. Connect the 5V on Arduino to the 5V on the Geiger counter. Connect the VIN on the Geiger counter to the D2 on Arduino. Attached this circuitry to a base board so that it can be safely moved as a single unit. When you are ready to run a trial, connect the Arduino board to the laptop. Place the Geiger counter, Arduino board, and lap top into a sound insulated container such as a suitcase or a plastic storage bin lined with blankets. Put the uranium ore next to, or on top of, the Geiger counter.
a. Obtain the following:
Sample of Uranium Ore Purchase Link, Geiger Counter Amazon Purchase Link, Arduino Board Amazon Purchase Link,
Wires Amazon Purchase Link
b. Set up the apparatus.
Connect the GND on Arduino to the GND on the Geiger counter. Connect the 5V on Arduino to the 5V on the Geiger counter. Connect the VIN on the Geiger counter to the D2 on Arduino. Attached this circuitry to a base board so that it can be safely moved as a single unit. When you are ready to run a trial, connect the Arduino board to the laptop. Place the Geiger counter, Arduino board, and lap top into a sound insulated container such as a suitcase or a plastic storage bin lined with blankets. Put the uranium ore next to, or on top of, the Geiger counter.
Important Note: Steps 2 and 3 listed below are a report of the procedures and code that was used in the first replication. However, improvements to the code presented below were developed by Ross Thomas in October of 2025 (thank you Ross!) and are available for download below. These improvements add in automation and remove the need for blind cutting and pasting. This code works with Inquisit 6 (it will not work with Inquisit 7) which is available for download here Inquisitdownload. The Arduino software is available here arduinosoftware. If using these updated procedures (recommended) then please skip over steps 2 and 3 below and instead follow the instructions that are listed in the README file in the download below. Step 4 at the end of this page would still apply.
| updated procedures & code from October 2025 |
2.) Program the Geiger Counter Interface.
The Geiger counter interface program is Arduino. It is available for free download here: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
The code below is what transforms the series of Geiger counter clicks into a series of one-digit numbers that will be later used in the priming software code (Inquisit 6). Simply cut from below and paste it into the Arduino software as a new file. This will produce a series of one-digit digital values from the Geiger counter in the serial monitor. Once you hit upload, open the serial monitor and expand the screen. The numbers will fill in on the left side.
// This Sketch counts the number of pulses a in a 4 second interval of time
// Connect the GND on Arduino to the GND on the Geiger counter.
// Connect the 5V on Arduino to the 5V on the Geiger counter.
// Connect the VIN on the Geiger counter to the D2 on Arduino.
unsigned long counts; //variable for GM Tube events
unsigned long previousMillis; //variable for measuring time
void impulse() { // dipanggil setiap ada sinyal FALLING di pin 2
counts++;
}
#define LOG_PERIOD 4000 // count rate
void setup() { //setup
counts = 0;
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(2, INPUT);
attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(2), impulse, FALLING); //define external interrupts
Serial.println(",start");
}
void loop() { //main cycle
unsigned long currentMillis = millis();
if (currentMillis - previousMillis > LOG_PERIOD) {
previousMillis = currentMillis;
Serial.println(counts);
counts = 0;
}
}
3.) Program the Response Time Software
The response time software is Inquisit 6. It is available for download here: https://www.millisecond.com/download
The programing code below was used in the first replication (key stroke response modality). This is the code that is recommended for use in future replications because it uses the keystroke, rather than the verbal, response modality.
<defaults>
/fontstyle = ("Arial", 65pt)
/screencolor = black
/txcolor = white
/txbgcolor = black
</defaults>
<item stimulusnumber>
/1 = " 4 "
/2 = " 5 "
/3 = " 6 "
/4 = " 7 "
/5 = " 8 "
/6 = " 9 "
/7 = " 3 "
/8 = " 2 "
/9 = " 1 "
</item>
<item prime0>
/1=" 5 "
/8=" 7 "
/5=" 4 "
/2=" 2 "
/9=" 6 "
/4=" 9 "
/7=" 3 "
/6=" 8 "
/3=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime1>
/1=" 5 "
/2=" 6 "
/3=" 4 "
/4=" 2 "
/5=" 7 "
/6=" 8 "
/7=" 3 "
/8=" 9 "
/9=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime2>
/2=" 5 "
/1=" 6 "
/3=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 7 "
/8=" 8 "
/9=" 3 "
/7=" 9 "
/6=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime3>
/2=" 5 "
/1=" 7 "
/3=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/8=" 9 "
/9=" 3 "
/7=" 8 "
/6=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime4>
/1=" 5 "
/9=" 7 "
/2=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/8=" 9 "
/3=" 3 "
/7=" 8 "
/6=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime5>
/1=" 1 "
/9=" 7 "
/3=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/8=" 9 "
/6=" 3 "
/7=" 8 "
/2=" 5 "
/10=" 1 "
</item>
<item prime6>
/1=" 1 "
/3=" 7 "
/9=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/6=" 9 "
/8=" 3 "
/2=" 8 "
/7=" 5 "
/10=" 3 "
</item>
<item prime7>
/1=" 1 "
/3=" 7 "
/9=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/6=" 9 "
/8=" 3 "
/2=" 8 "
/7=" 5 "
/10=" 9 "
</item>
<item prime8>
/1=" 1 "
/3=" 7 "
/9=" 4 "
/5=" 9 "
/4=" 2 "
/6=" 6 "
/8=" 3 "
/2=" 8 "
/7=" 5 "
/10=" 3 "
</item>
<item prime9>
/1=" 5 "
/9=" 7 "
/5=" 4 "
/2=" 2 "
/8=" 6 "
/4=" 9 "
/7=" 3 "
/3=" 8 "
/6=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime10>
/1=" 5 "
/8=" 7 "
/5=" 4 "
/2=" 3 "
/9=" 6 "
/4=" 9 "
/7=" 2 "
/6=" 8 "
/3=" 4 "
/10=" 1 "
</item>
*********************************************************************************************
STEP #1
Paste the Geiger Counter Data below for the unobserved condition. The sequence for the unobserved condition goes first and below that is where you would need to insert the sequence for the observed condition in Step #2.
For the unobserved condition:
Scroll down 30 or more lines below and then paste in the Geiger counter data with the screen covered as you do so. Then, with the screen still covered, scroll back up to the top of the code. Remove the cover and then slowly and carefully scroll back down to this point again. Cover the screen. With your curser on the left margin you should be able to blindly scroll down to where you just placed your, yet unseen, Geiger counter data. By clicking the mouse and holding the button while moving it slightly to the right you should be able to select one numeral from your Geiger counter data. You will know that you have this by looking at the column number at the bottom right of your screen, which you should still be able to see while keeping the other 4/5th of the screen covered. Then use control x to cut. You will know it worked because the column number will go back to "0". Then scroll up to the top. You can remove the cover and carefully scroll down to this section again. Then place your cursor between the word "prime" and the "/" in the code below. Cover the screen up again. Hit paste. Then again scroll all the way to the bottom of the code. When at the bottom you can remove the cover. Scroll very slowly up until you get to Step #2.
*************************************************
<text unobservedprime>/items = prime/select = sequence (
)
</text>
****************************************************************************************************************************
this large number of empty lines was put in to help prevent any accidental scrolling up to the unobserved primes during the placement of the observed primes.
****************************************************************************************************************************
<text observedprime>/items = prime/select = sequence (
)</text>
****************************************************************************************************************************
STEP # 2.
Obtain a new group of Geiger counter data for the observed condition and paste it immediately above the ")</text>". Then, briefly look at all of the numbers. After that randomly select one of the digits for the correspondence and insert it between the word "prime" and the "/" in the code just as you did in the unobserved condition. Be careful the whole time not to accidentally scroll too high or you will come into contact with the sequence for the unobserved condition, which needs to remain unobserved. Once this is done, scroll again to the bottom and hit run. Then the lap top will be ready to be brought to the participant.
***************************************************************************************************************************
<text mask>
/items = (" #@GX& ")
/fontstyle = ("impact", 65pt)
/txcolor = white
/txbgcolor = black
/position = (50%, 50%)
</text>
<text mask2>
/items = (" @X&#G ")
/fontstyle = ("impact", 70pt)
/txcolor = white
/txbgcolor = black
/position = (50%, 50%)
</text>
<text target>
/items = Stimulusnumber
/select = random
/txcolor = white
/txbgcolor = black
/position = (50%, 50%)
</text>
<trial Observed>
/ pretrialpause = 500
/ validresponse = ("e", "o")
/ stimulusframes = [1=mask; 11=observedprime; 14=mask2; 16=target]
/ response = timeout(1200)
/ posttrialpause = 1000
</trial>
<trial Unobserved >
/ pretrialpause = 500
/ validresponse = ("e", "o")
/ stimulusframes = [1=mask; 11=unobservedprime; 14=mask2; 16=target]
/ response = timeout(1200)
/ posttrialpause = 1000
</trial>
*************************************************
*************************************************
<block Unobserved>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(unobserved);
]
</block>
<block Observed>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(observed);
]
</block>
<block Unobserved2>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(unobserved);
]
</block>
<block Observed2>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(observed);
]
</block>
<block Unobserved3>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(unobserved);
]
</block>
<block Observed3>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(observed);
]
</block>
<expt>
/blocks = [1 = sequence(block.observed,block.unobserved,block.Observed2,block.Unobserved2,block.Observed3,block.Unobserved3)]
</expt>
4.) Running of Trials
a. Obtaining usable values from the Geiger counter.
The Arduino code as it is currently written transforms the number of Geiger counter clicks occurring within every four second interval of time into digital values. This may need to be adjusted. Double- or triple-digit numbers will not work in the code, and long strings of zeros will not give you enough variability in the superposition. Ideally you want to have a frequency range from 0-10. To get this consistently you may need to “tune” the apparatus. This can be done by either adjusting the interval length in the Arduino code or by adjusting the distance between your uranium ore and the Geiger counter.
b. Protect against inadvertent collapse
The unobserved primes are, for lack of a better term, “delicate”. Any link to consciousness, even if it is at the end of a chain of events, has the potential to cause an unwanted collapse. Researchers should be able to avoid these with reasonable diligence, as it was able to be avoided in these studies. For example, using a local source of quantum numbers, such as a Geiger counter with an isolated and independent source of radioactive decay, is key. Also, while all of these experiments were being run the WIFI to the laptop was disabled. In all of these studies Geiger counter data was captured and pasted in the code one trial at a time. Once the observed and the unobserved primes were pasted in the code over two consecutive gathering windows, the laptop was immediately presented to the participant who started the response time task. Each trial was prepared and completed one at a time. This was done to safeguard against inadvertent collapse. It may have been necessary to do it this way, or maybe it was not necessary. The most efficient way may be to gather all of the Geiger counter data at once and then prepare separate program files in Inquisit for trial #1, trial #2 etc.
c. Script
This is the script that was read to each of the participants at the start,
“you are going to see a series of numbers flashed on this screen one at a time. Press the “E” key for even and the “O” key for odd depending on the number you see. Go as fast as you can without making mistakes. Click the mouse when you are ready to start.”
After the first trial ask,
“did you see any other numbers on the screen very briefly before the one that you responded to?”
The purpose of asking this question is that at 50.1 milliseconds most people cannot see the primes, although it is not uncommon for some individuals to be able to see them. If one of the participants you are using happens to be a person who can discern the primes at 50.1 milliseconds then you would not actually be able to have an unobserved condition with that participant and they should therefore be removed.
The Geiger counter interface program is Arduino. It is available for free download here: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
The code below is what transforms the series of Geiger counter clicks into a series of one-digit numbers that will be later used in the priming software code (Inquisit 6). Simply cut from below and paste it into the Arduino software as a new file. This will produce a series of one-digit digital values from the Geiger counter in the serial monitor. Once you hit upload, open the serial monitor and expand the screen. The numbers will fill in on the left side.
// This Sketch counts the number of pulses a in a 4 second interval of time
// Connect the GND on Arduino to the GND on the Geiger counter.
// Connect the 5V on Arduino to the 5V on the Geiger counter.
// Connect the VIN on the Geiger counter to the D2 on Arduino.
unsigned long counts; //variable for GM Tube events
unsigned long previousMillis; //variable for measuring time
void impulse() { // dipanggil setiap ada sinyal FALLING di pin 2
counts++;
}
#define LOG_PERIOD 4000 // count rate
void setup() { //setup
counts = 0;
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(2, INPUT);
attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(2), impulse, FALLING); //define external interrupts
Serial.println(",start");
}
void loop() { //main cycle
unsigned long currentMillis = millis();
if (currentMillis - previousMillis > LOG_PERIOD) {
previousMillis = currentMillis;
Serial.println(counts);
counts = 0;
}
}
3.) Program the Response Time Software
The response time software is Inquisit 6. It is available for download here: https://www.millisecond.com/download
The programing code below was used in the first replication (key stroke response modality). This is the code that is recommended for use in future replications because it uses the keystroke, rather than the verbal, response modality.
<defaults>
/fontstyle = ("Arial", 65pt)
/screencolor = black
/txcolor = white
/txbgcolor = black
</defaults>
<item stimulusnumber>
/1 = " 4 "
/2 = " 5 "
/3 = " 6 "
/4 = " 7 "
/5 = " 8 "
/6 = " 9 "
/7 = " 3 "
/8 = " 2 "
/9 = " 1 "
</item>
<item prime0>
/1=" 5 "
/8=" 7 "
/5=" 4 "
/2=" 2 "
/9=" 6 "
/4=" 9 "
/7=" 3 "
/6=" 8 "
/3=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime1>
/1=" 5 "
/2=" 6 "
/3=" 4 "
/4=" 2 "
/5=" 7 "
/6=" 8 "
/7=" 3 "
/8=" 9 "
/9=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime2>
/2=" 5 "
/1=" 6 "
/3=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 7 "
/8=" 8 "
/9=" 3 "
/7=" 9 "
/6=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime3>
/2=" 5 "
/1=" 7 "
/3=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/8=" 9 "
/9=" 3 "
/7=" 8 "
/6=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime4>
/1=" 5 "
/9=" 7 "
/2=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/8=" 9 "
/3=" 3 "
/7=" 8 "
/6=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime5>
/1=" 1 "
/9=" 7 "
/3=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/8=" 9 "
/6=" 3 "
/7=" 8 "
/2=" 5 "
/10=" 1 "
</item>
<item prime6>
/1=" 1 "
/3=" 7 "
/9=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/6=" 9 "
/8=" 3 "
/2=" 8 "
/7=" 5 "
/10=" 3 "
</item>
<item prime7>
/1=" 1 "
/3=" 7 "
/9=" 4 "
/5=" 2 "
/4=" 6 "
/6=" 9 "
/8=" 3 "
/2=" 8 "
/7=" 5 "
/10=" 9 "
</item>
<item prime8>
/1=" 1 "
/3=" 7 "
/9=" 4 "
/5=" 9 "
/4=" 2 "
/6=" 6 "
/8=" 3 "
/2=" 8 "
/7=" 5 "
/10=" 3 "
</item>
<item prime9>
/1=" 5 "
/9=" 7 "
/5=" 4 "
/2=" 2 "
/8=" 6 "
/4=" 9 "
/7=" 3 "
/3=" 8 "
/6=" 1 "
/10=" 4 "
</item>
<item prime10>
/1=" 5 "
/8=" 7 "
/5=" 4 "
/2=" 3 "
/9=" 6 "
/4=" 9 "
/7=" 2 "
/6=" 8 "
/3=" 4 "
/10=" 1 "
</item>
*********************************************************************************************
STEP #1
Paste the Geiger Counter Data below for the unobserved condition. The sequence for the unobserved condition goes first and below that is where you would need to insert the sequence for the observed condition in Step #2.
For the unobserved condition:
Scroll down 30 or more lines below and then paste in the Geiger counter data with the screen covered as you do so. Then, with the screen still covered, scroll back up to the top of the code. Remove the cover and then slowly and carefully scroll back down to this point again. Cover the screen. With your curser on the left margin you should be able to blindly scroll down to where you just placed your, yet unseen, Geiger counter data. By clicking the mouse and holding the button while moving it slightly to the right you should be able to select one numeral from your Geiger counter data. You will know that you have this by looking at the column number at the bottom right of your screen, which you should still be able to see while keeping the other 4/5th of the screen covered. Then use control x to cut. You will know it worked because the column number will go back to "0". Then scroll up to the top. You can remove the cover and carefully scroll down to this section again. Then place your cursor between the word "prime" and the "/" in the code below. Cover the screen up again. Hit paste. Then again scroll all the way to the bottom of the code. When at the bottom you can remove the cover. Scroll very slowly up until you get to Step #2.
*************************************************
<text unobservedprime>/items = prime/select = sequence (
)
</text>
****************************************************************************************************************************
this large number of empty lines was put in to help prevent any accidental scrolling up to the unobserved primes during the placement of the observed primes.
****************************************************************************************************************************
<text observedprime>/items = prime/select = sequence (
)</text>
****************************************************************************************************************************
STEP # 2.
Obtain a new group of Geiger counter data for the observed condition and paste it immediately above the ")</text>". Then, briefly look at all of the numbers. After that randomly select one of the digits for the correspondence and insert it between the word "prime" and the "/" in the code just as you did in the unobserved condition. Be careful the whole time not to accidentally scroll too high or you will come into contact with the sequence for the unobserved condition, which needs to remain unobserved. Once this is done, scroll again to the bottom and hit run. Then the lap top will be ready to be brought to the participant.
***************************************************************************************************************************
<text mask>
/items = (" #@GX& ")
/fontstyle = ("impact", 65pt)
/txcolor = white
/txbgcolor = black
/position = (50%, 50%)
</text>
<text mask2>
/items = (" @X&#G ")
/fontstyle = ("impact", 70pt)
/txcolor = white
/txbgcolor = black
/position = (50%, 50%)
</text>
<text target>
/items = Stimulusnumber
/select = random
/txcolor = white
/txbgcolor = black
/position = (50%, 50%)
</text>
<trial Observed>
/ pretrialpause = 500
/ validresponse = ("e", "o")
/ stimulusframes = [1=mask; 11=observedprime; 14=mask2; 16=target]
/ response = timeout(1200)
/ posttrialpause = 1000
</trial>
<trial Unobserved >
/ pretrialpause = 500
/ validresponse = ("e", "o")
/ stimulusframes = [1=mask; 11=unobservedprime; 14=mask2; 16=target]
/ response = timeout(1200)
/ posttrialpause = 1000
</trial>
*************************************************
*************************************************
<block Unobserved>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(unobserved);
]
</block>
<block Observed>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(observed);
]
</block>
<block Unobserved2>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(unobserved);
]
</block>
<block Observed2>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(observed);
]
</block>
<block Unobserved3>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(unobserved);
]
</block>
<block Observed3>
/trials = [1-15 = sequence(observed);
]
</block>
<expt>
/blocks = [1 = sequence(block.observed,block.unobserved,block.Observed2,block.Unobserved2,block.Observed3,block.Unobserved3)]
</expt>
4.) Running of Trials
a. Obtaining usable values from the Geiger counter.
The Arduino code as it is currently written transforms the number of Geiger counter clicks occurring within every four second interval of time into digital values. This may need to be adjusted. Double- or triple-digit numbers will not work in the code, and long strings of zeros will not give you enough variability in the superposition. Ideally you want to have a frequency range from 0-10. To get this consistently you may need to “tune” the apparatus. This can be done by either adjusting the interval length in the Arduino code or by adjusting the distance between your uranium ore and the Geiger counter.
b. Protect against inadvertent collapse
The unobserved primes are, for lack of a better term, “delicate”. Any link to consciousness, even if it is at the end of a chain of events, has the potential to cause an unwanted collapse. Researchers should be able to avoid these with reasonable diligence, as it was able to be avoided in these studies. For example, using a local source of quantum numbers, such as a Geiger counter with an isolated and independent source of radioactive decay, is key. Also, while all of these experiments were being run the WIFI to the laptop was disabled. In all of these studies Geiger counter data was captured and pasted in the code one trial at a time. Once the observed and the unobserved primes were pasted in the code over two consecutive gathering windows, the laptop was immediately presented to the participant who started the response time task. Each trial was prepared and completed one at a time. This was done to safeguard against inadvertent collapse. It may have been necessary to do it this way, or maybe it was not necessary. The most efficient way may be to gather all of the Geiger counter data at once and then prepare separate program files in Inquisit for trial #1, trial #2 etc.
c. Script
This is the script that was read to each of the participants at the start,
“you are going to see a series of numbers flashed on this screen one at a time. Press the “E” key for even and the “O” key for odd depending on the number you see. Go as fast as you can without making mistakes. Click the mouse when you are ready to start.”
After the first trial ask,
“did you see any other numbers on the screen very briefly before the one that you responded to?”
The purpose of asking this question is that at 50.1 milliseconds most people cannot see the primes, although it is not uncommon for some individuals to be able to see them. If one of the participants you are using happens to be a person who can discern the primes at 50.1 milliseconds then you would not actually be able to have an unobserved condition with that participant and they should therefore be removed.