Paul Stevens, PhD

About Me

I am a UK-based researcher and wellbeing practitioner. My professional interests include:

Altered and collective states of consciousness
Including hypnosis and shamanic practises

Ecopsychology
A relatively young field, ecopsychology studies our psychological connections to the natural environment, applying ecological principles to psychology and psychotherapy. It also has a specific aim of defining environmentally-based standards for mental health.

Effects of weak, low-frequency magnetic fields on human behaviour
i.e., Concerning the kinds of fields that are generated from natural sources such as geological deposits, atmospheric changes, the Earth itself, and possibly even from plants and animals.

General models for effects of non-sensory stimuli
i.e., Looking at ways in which we might receive information in cases where that information is not mediated by a sensory pathway

PhD Psychology Thesis: "A biophysical approach to psi effects and experience" (University of Edinburgh, 1997)
ABSTRACT: Psi, the unknown factor(s) in instances of apparently anomalous interaction between an organism and its environment, has long defied attempts to be usefully incorporated in a theoretical framework. By considering the different levels - physical, physiological and psychological - at which psi phenomena may be viewed as having an effect, a system theoretic approach is taken to model the way in which two systems may interact. The physical level is first considered, making the assumption that there exists an energetic psi signal. Inferring the required properties of such a signal from the types of system successfully used in psi experiments, it is proposed that the signal may be seen as acting to modify fluctuations in the electromagnetic zero-point field, its precise characteristics being determined by the activity of the electrodynamic system which generated it. A typical target system is simulated, and the presence of a perturbation - the psi signal - is shown to parallel the type of effect seen in empirical data. An experiment looking for possible distance attenuation effects using a system predicted to be sensitive to the proposed signal type is detailed. Expanding on this basic concept, a more detailed study is made of different systems and the possible types of emissive activity they may undergo. The same systems are then considered for their receptive properties. It appears that the systems most capable of detecting a psi signal are biological cells, with the site of primary interaction being the cell membranes, the semiconductor properties of which are compared to non-biological systems. Two experiments are reported, one looking at human and the other at non-biological sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, these being considered to be detected in an analogous manner to a psi signal. Similarities in the electromagnetically modified activity of the different systems were found. Next the psychophysiological factors which would better enable a human to make use of psi signals are considered, with another experiment demonstrating the use of subconscious response techniques. Finally, the possible mental experience of a human using psi is considered, comparing the premises of this thesis to laboratory and anecdotal reports. A final experiment which made use of a proposed psi enhancement technique, utilising a learned correlatory response between internal state and external feedback, is described. Based on the ideas presented, potential sources of interference are discussed, along with suggestions as to how to minimise such noise. Overall, the findings of the experiments offer support to the idea that psi interacts with organisms on a cellular level, with the psi experience being determined in part by the psi sensitive person's subjective interpretation of their perturbed physiological activity. Although at an early stage, this approach appears to offer a useful conceptual approach for psi research.

BSc Astronomy thesis: "Computer modelling of the Solar corona-chromosphere transition region" (UCL, 1992)
ABSTRACT: The solar transition region, defined as the region between T=2.5x10⁴K and T=10⁶K, represents a discontinuity in the temperature-density profile of the chromosphere-corona. Models of this region which assume energy loss purely by radiative processes have been unsuccessful in reproducing observational features, most notably the small distance over which the temperature rises and the emission measures. This study attempts to show the importance of flux processes introduced by large scale mass motions. The source of such motions is discussed and a comparison of the relative importance of energy loss by conduction and by radiation is made.

You can view my primary website at WyrdWise.com or contact me

Publications

Stevens, P. & Roberts, B. (2025). Exploring the effects of linguistic versus non-linguistic mentation in a remote viewing protocol, with coincident micropsychokinesis detection using a novel matrix REG. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 89: 24–46

Stevens, P. (2018). Fractal dimension links responses to a visual scene to its biodiversity. Ecopsychology 10: 89-86

Stevens, P. (2018). A hypnosis framing of therapeutic horticulture for mental health rehabilitation. The Humanistic Psychologist 46: 258-273

Stevens (2017). “Engaging the non-linguistic mind: Re-enchantment beyond words”, in A. Voss & S. Wilson (eds.), Re-enchanting the Academy (pp. 267-268), Rubedo Press

Stevens, P. (2015). “Relationships with the natural world”. In Jim Turner, Claire Hewson, Kesi Mahendran & Paul Stevens (eds.). Living Psychology: From the Everyday to the Extraordinary (Book 1). The Open University.

Stevens, P. (2014). Feeling our way in ecopsychology. Ecopsychology 6: 28-29

Stevens, P. (2014), Affective priming of perceived environmental restorativeness. International Journal of Psychology 49: 51-55

Baker, I. & Stevens, P. (2013), An anomaly of an anomaly: Investigating the cortical electrophysiology of remote staring detection. Journal of Parapsychology 77: 107-122

Stevens, P (2012). Towards an ecosociology. Sociology 46: 579-595

Hemingway, A & Stevens, P (2011). Innovating to achieve sustainable wellbeing inside the built environment. Perspectives in Public Health 131: 117-118

Stevens, P (2010). Embedment in the environment: A new paradigm for wellbeing? Perspectives in Public Health 130: 265-9

Jordan, M, Stevens, P & Milton, M (2010). Ecopsychology: Past, present and future. European Journal of Ecopsychology 1: 1-3

Stevens, P (2009). Exploring our physical connections, Ecopsychology 1: 85-92

Stevens, P. (2009). “Are our assumptions more anomalous than the phenomena?” In M. Smith (ed.), Anomalous Experiences: Essays from Parapsychological and Psychological Perspectives. McFarland

Baker, I.S. & Stevens, P. (2008). “An investigation into the cortical electrophysiology of remote staring detection”. In S. Sherwood & B. Carr (eds.), Proceedings of the Parapsychological Association 51st & the Society for Psychical Research 32nd Annual Convention (pp. 8-23). The Parapsychological Association, Inc.

Stevens, P. (2007). Affective response to 5μT ELF magnetic field-induced physiological changes. Bioelectromagnetics 28: 109-114

Roe, C.A., Davey, R. & Stevens, P. (2006). Experimenter effects in laboratory tests of ESP and PK using a common protocol. Journal of Scientific Exploration 20: 239-253

Stevens, P. (2005). The effect of weak magnetic fields on a random event generator: reconsidering the role of geomagnetic fluctuations in microPK studies. European Journal of Parapsychology 20: 135-149

Roe, C., Davey, R. & Stevens. P, (2005). Are ESP and PK aspects of a unitary phenomenon? The effects of deception when testing the relationship between ESP and PK. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 69: 18-32

Ramakers, P., Stevens, P., & Morris R.L. (2005). “The effect of remote emotion on receiver skin conductance”. Proceedings of the 29th International Conference of the Society for Psychical Research, Bath.

Kittenis, M., Caryl, P.G., & Stevens, P. (2004). “Distant psychophysiological effects between related and unrelated participants”. In S. Schmidt (ed.), Proceedings of The Parapsychological Association Convention (pp. 67-76).

Stevens, P. (2004). Experimental evaluation of a feedback-reinforcement model for dyadic ESP. Journal of Parapsychology 68: 65-92

Roe, C., Davey, R. & Stevens, P. (2004). Arousal and performance at ESP and PK tasks using a common protocol. European Journal of Parapsychology 19: 29-43

Roe, C., Davey, R. & Stevens, P. (2003). Are ESP and PK aspects of a unitary phenomena? Journal of Parapsychology 67: 343-366

Wiseman, R., Watt, C., Stevens, P., Greening, E. & O’Keeffe, C. (2003). An investigation into alleged ‘hauntings’. British Journal of Psychology 94: 195-211

Stevens, P. (2002). Can we differentiate between ESP and Imagination? Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 66: 239-246

Wiseman, R., Watt, C., Stevens, P., Greening, E. & O’Keeffe, C. (2002). An investigation into the alleged haunting of Hampton Court Palace: Psychological variables and magnetic fields. Journal of Parapsychology 66: 387-408

Stevens, P. (2001). Effects of 5s exposures to a 50 μT, 20 Hz magnetic field on skin conductance and ratings of affect and arousal. Bioelectromagnetics 22: 219-223

Stevens, P. (2000). Human electrodermal response to remote human monitoring: classification and analysis of response characteristics. Journal of Parapsychology 64: 391-409

Stevens, P. (2000). Noise, physics and psi: new ideas for research. International Journal of Parapsychology 11: 63-72

Stevens, P. (1999). Remote Psychokinesis. European Journal of Parapsychology 14: 68-79

Stevens, P. (1998). Techno-Dowsing: developing a physiological response system to improve psi training. Journal for Scientific Exploration 12: 551-568

Stevens, P. (1997). Electromagnetism and psi. Research in Parapsychology. Parapsychology Foundation.

Rebman, J.M., Wezelman, R., Radin, D.I., Stevens, P., Hapke, R.A. & Gaughan, K.Z. (1995). Remote influence of human physiology by a ritual healing technique, Subtle Energies, 6(2): 111-134