Frank J. MacHovec

Stanley Krippner was an American psychologist and parapsychologist who dedicated much of his career to studying altered states of consciousness, dream telepathy, hypnosis, shamanism, and parapsychological phenomena. He held academic positions at Saybrook University, the California Institute of Integral Studies, Akamai University, and the California Institute for Human Science. Krippner was an early proponent of humanistic psychology and served as president of the relevant division within the American Psychological Association. He also led Division 30, the Society for Psychological Hypnosis, and was recognized with the APA Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology in 2002.

His research included significant work on dream telepathy, notably conducting experiments at the Maimonides Medical Center with Montague Ullman. These studies aimed to investigate the transmission of images from an "agent" to a sleeping "target" and reported statistically significant results, though the methodology and conclusions have faced both support and criticism regarding experimental rigor and replication. Krippner also explored the potential of psychedelics, having participated in early experiments with Timothy Leary, and maintained collaborations with figures like musician Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead and philosopher Alan Watts, with whom he shared interests in Eastern philosophies and advocacy for marijuana decriminalization.

Stanley Krippner's extensive research delved into areas such as altered states of consciousness, dream telepathy, hypnosis, shamanism, and dissociation. A significant portion of his work focused on parapsychological subjects. He was instrumental in the early days of Division 32 of the American Psychological Association, which champions humanistic psychology, and he also led Division 30, the Society for Psychological Hypnosis. His contributions were recognized with prestigious awards, highlighting his impact on the international advancement of psychology. Krippner's academic career spanned decades, holding faculty positions at institutions like Saybrook University and the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he continued to explore the boundaries of human consciousness.

A cornerstone of Krippner's research was his involvement with the dream laboratory at Maimonides Medical Center, beginning in 1964. Alongside colleagues like Montague Ullman and Alan Vaughan, he conducted a series of dream telepathy experiments. These studies typically involved an "agent" attempting to telepathically transmit an image, often an art print, to a "target" who was asleep and would later report their dreams. Krippner and his collaborators reported that many of these experiments yielded statistically significant results suggesting telepathic influence. However, the validity and rigor of these findings have been a subject of debate, with critics pointing to potential weaknesses in experimental design, lack of independent replication, and issues with controls against bias. Despite these criticisms, Krippner and others continued to analyze and publish on the Maimonides data, with some meta-analyses suggesting potential effects beyond chance.

Krippner's intellectual journey included significant engagement with the burgeoning psychedelic research of the 1960s. He participated in early psilocybin experiments led by Timothy Leary, an experience that he stated ignited his lifelong interest in psychedelics. This connection led to collaborations and writings, including a chapter in "The Psychedelic Artist." Furthermore, Krippner fostered relationships with influential figures in counterculture and philosophy. He met musician Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, leading to collaborations involving hypnosis for drumming and "ESP Shows" during concerts. His friendship with philosopher Alan Watts also proved formative, influencing Krippner's interest in Eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Taoism, and they jointly advocated for marijuana decriminalization. Watts even officiated Krippner's Buddhist wedding.