Proposed Studies to be Produced or Sponsored by the Center for Planetary Identity

We will soon announce the first of several research proposals we have developed in-house and begin the search for funding and research partners.

Proposal for Cognitive Study of the Astronauts’ Experiences of Viewing the Earth and Space (Andrew Newberg, PI; David Beaver, Subject Matter Expert)

Abstract

Astronauts have long reported beneficial perspective changes regarding life on Earth simply from their space flight, and have suggested that if transmitted into world culture, it would aid in thinking more realistically about various world-scale issues and challenges. While a few studies have examined aspects of this effect, none have attempted to measure the underlying driver for the depth and variety of astronaut reports.  We propose that the mental matrix of knowledge and experience related to the world/planet, which can be said to comprise one’s “worldview” or “paradigm of the world,” is substantively altered from a surface-based perception, modified by education and cultural adoption of the planetary model; and supported by space photos.  A “New Space” industry plans to soon take private citizens to space, enhancing the need to understand the effect of space on mind and culture. We propose to create an Interview/Inventory to be given to these citizen space flyers, pre and post flight.  Developed from worldview/paradigm/perception research models, and avoiding widely reported astronaut language to prevent self-selection of expected answers, we will test for evidence of shifts in mental models to a planetary perspective.

Neurological Imaging of Participants in Commercial Space Flights

(Study in development)

Study of the Overview Experiences of All living Astronauts and Other Space Travelers Adapting Suedfeld’s Methodology

(Contemplated study)

List of Academic Research on Astronauts’ Personal (non-mission) Overview Effect Experiences

(Will be updated as existing studies are identified and new studies published)

Suedfeld et al, University of British Columbia: “Changes in the Hierarchy of Value References Associated to Flying in Space.”

Yaden et al, University of Pennsylvania: “The Overview Effect: Awe and Self-Transcendent Experience in Spaceflight.”

Gallagher et al, University of Central Florida: “Space, Science, and Spirituality.”

Kanas et al: “Positive Psychological Outcomes of Spaceflight: An Empirical Study.”

Our first effort is launching this website, which will begin bringing the term Planetary Identity into the cultural conversation.  We will first work to viralize the site, where we present the concepts and theories underlying Planetary Identity and it’s needed value for both the emerging New Space industry and community, and many organizations in the World-Change community - those working to solve or mitigate a host of escalating world-scale challenges and crises.

Our next step will be to reach out to, and begin knitting together, a group of leaders and advocates in both of these communities who might help to expand on this important idea, and to carry it into their respective communities.  The site provides the cognitive and media research that underlies and explains the nature, process, and value of shifting cultural worldviews to a more comprehensive Planetary Identity, as well as the cognitive and media barriers to such shifts.

Finally, also drawing on the research, we will provide techniques and tools for overcoming the innate barriers to worldview/paradigm shifting, as well as for enhancing both the cultural communication of the idea of Planetary Awareness and Identity, and enhancing the experience itself; whether through direct space flight, or through profound space experience simulations, (a deft combination of cutting-edge technology, the arts, and applied worldview/paradigm shifting methods and tools.