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Cleve Backster: A Pioneer in Polygraph Science and the Controversial Realm of Primary Perception
Cleve Backster, an American interrogation specialist, gained considerable fame and controversy for his pioneering work in polygraph (lie detector) technology and his subsequent research into what he termed “primary perception,” involving plants and other living cells. This article delves into his life, career, and the intriguing yet contentious realm of his research, which has left an indelible mark on both scientific inquiry and popular culture.
Early Life and Career
Born on February 27, 1924, in Lafayette, New Jersey, Cleve Backster’s early career path was diverse and unconventional. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he became involved in polygraphy during his tenure with the CIA, where he served as the agency’s chief polygraph operator. His fascination with polygraph technology eventually led him to establish the renowned Backster School of Lie Detection in San Diego, California. His contributions to polygraph science were groundbreaking and remain influential to this day.
Backster’s Contributions to Polygraph Science: The Zone Comparison Technique
One of Backster’s most significant contributions to polygraph science was the development of the Backster Zone Comparison Technique (ZCT) in the 1960s. This technique revolutionized the way physiological data collected during polygraph exams were interpreted. ZCT focuses on comparing physiological responses (such as heart rate, respiration, electrodermal activity, and blood pressure) to different types of questions—relevant, control, and neutral.
Key Elements of the ZCT:
- Control Questions: Designed to provoke a physiological response unrelated to the issue at hand, these questions provide a baseline for comparison.
- Relevant Questions: Directly related to the investigation, the subject’s responses to these are compared to control questions to detect signs of deception.
- Neutral Questions: These questions are emotionally neutral and used to establish a non-reactive baseline.
- Symptomatic Questions: Introduced to assess the subject’s fear of the test itself, helping to distinguish anxiety from deception.
This approach improved the accuracy of polygraph tests, allowing examiners to draw clearer distinctions between truthfulness and deception.
Backster also developed a numerical scoring system for interpreting polygraph results. This system assigned numerical values to physiological reactions, making the analysis more objective and reducing the influence of examiner bias. This innovation further solidified his place as a leader in polygraph methodology.
Polygraph Experiment: Primary Perception and Cellular Consciousness
Backster’s groundbreaking contributions weren’t limited to polygraph examinations. In the late 1960s, his research took a surprising turn when he began experimenting with the concept of primary perception—the idea that plants and even human cells could detect and respond to human emotions.
In a now-famous experiment, Backster connected a Dracaena plant in his office to a polygraph machine, hypothesizing that the plant might exhibit a physiological response to stimuli. To his astonishment, when he threatened the plant with harm, the polygraph registered a reaction, which Backster interpreted as a stress or fear response. This finding led him to theorize that plants might have a form of consciousness or awareness, a controversial claim that sparked widespread public interest.
1st Experiment: Plant Reaction to Intentions
Driven by professional curiosity, Backster subjected the Dracena plant to a simulated “shock test” akin to those used to elicit significant responses in humans. He considered burning the leaf placed between two electrodes to provoke a reaction.
At that very moment, without actually touching or moving the leaf, the trace on the recording paper spiked. To validate this initial response, Backster proceeded to burn the leaf, resulting in a noticeable, though less intense, reaction.
These unexpected results raised profound questions for Backster. Could it be possible that plants possess some form of sentience or consciousness? This observation challenged conventional science and inspired him to further investigate plant-human communication.
2nd Experiment: Plant Reaction to Animal Suffering
In his second experiment, Backster placed shrimp into boiling water at random intervals, while monitoring the reactions of plants positioned across the laboratory. He noted that the plants displayed stress peaks at the exact moments the shrimp were submerged in the boiling water.
However, it remained unclear whether the plants were responding to the shrimp’s death or to Backster’s emotional state. To eliminate potential emotional interference, Backster and his partner left the lab for a time. They began to suspect that the plants might not be reacting to the shrimp at all but were instead responding to the emotional changes in their own conversation.
To address this, they developed a workaround. They enlisted a third party to procure the plants and store them in a part of the building that neither Backster nor his partner frequented. On the day of the experiment, the plants were prepared and immediately left alone in an unfamiliar environment with electrodes attached. Unattended, they appeared to “probe the surroundings” to acclimate themselves. At this point, subtle events, such as the death of a shrimp, seemed to register with the plants.
Through these measures, Backster demonstrated that plants appear to respond to the suffering of other living beings.
3rd Experiment: Connection Between Plants
In a third experiment, Backster explored potential communication among plants. He connected multiple plants to a single measuring device to observe whether any electrical reactions would occur when one plant was harmed. Remarkably, when one of the plants was damaged, others exhibited similar electrical responses, suggesting a form of collective consciousness.
These were just a few of Backster’s pioneering experiments. His work has inspired decades of research worldwide, prompting new studies and discoveries about plant behavior and potential interspecies communication.
Cleve Backster’s 1980 Polygraph Experiment with Human Cells
In June 1980, Backster conducted a polygraph experiment with living cells from the mouth of Stephen White, who was seated ten feet away from the polygraph. The cells, placed in a test tube with silver wire electrodes connected to the polygraph, appeared to react to White’s activities. The polygraph chart showed significant fluctuations when White viewed a pictorial review of actress Bo Derek in a Playboy magazine. Backster interpreted these physiological reactions as evidence that the living cells were somehow aware of external stimuli, reinforcing his primary perception theory.
Cleve Backster in His Laboratory
This image shows Cleve Backster, renowned for his polygraph work and “primary perception” theory, in his San Diego lab. Backster connected plants and human cells to polygraphs, exploring the idea that they could respond to human emotions, challenging conventional scientific beliefs.
This polygraph chart, recorded on June 30, 1980, depicts the results of an experiment involving Stephen White, conducted under the guidance of Cleve Backster. In the test, living cells taken from White’s mouth were connected to a polygraph machine to measure physiological reactions. White, seated ten feet from the polygraph, was paging through a Playboy magazine in search of an interview with scientist William Shockley. The polygraph chart records the reactions of White’s isolated cells at the moment he viewed a pictorial review of actress Bo Derek.
The chart clearly shows distinct fluctuations as White engages with different parts of the magazine, with notable reactions when he turns to the pictorial and as he closes the magazine. This four-minute experiment was part of Backster’s larger investigation into his “primary perception” theory, which posited that living cells remain aware of and react to their surroundings, even when isolated from the body.
The data captured on the polygraph demonstrates spikes in physiological activity at key moments, suggesting that White’s cells exhibited measurable reactions to his actions and the external stimuli he encountered during the test. While controversial, this experiment provided a fascinating, albeit debated, look into the potential for biological reactions beyond traditional understanding.
This image features Stephen White engaged in an experiment inspired by Cleve Backster’s controversial “primary perception” theory. In this setup, White is working with a microscope and a petri dish containing living cells that were extracted from his body. These cells are part of a larger experiment designed to explore Backster’s hypothesis that living cells, even when isolated from their host, can react to external stimuli such as thoughts, emotions, and physical actions occurring nearby.
The experiment was a key component of Backster’s research into cellular consciousness, aiming to demonstrate that living matter retains a form of awareness even when separated from the body. By connecting these cells to scientific monitoring equipment, including a polygraph machine, the research sought to track physiological changes in the cells, especially in response to specific events or stimuli in the environment.
White’s involvement in the experiment underscores the ongoing exploration of how biological reactions extend beyond conventional boundaries. This image captures a moment in a unique investigation that challenged mainstream scientific beliefs, raising questions about the nature of consciousness and interconnectivity between living organisms and their environments.
Reception and Criticism of Primary Perception
Backster’s primary perception theory gained considerable attention when featured in the best-selling book “The Secret Life of Plants” by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird. This book helped popularize the idea that plants and other biological organisms could respond to human emotions and intentions.
However, the scientific community largely rejected Backster’s claims. His experiments were criticized for lacking rigorous controls and for being difficult to replicate. Many scientists regarded his findings as anecdotal or rooted in anthropomorphic interpretations of the data. Despite these critiques, Backster remained convinced of the validity of his observations and continued to explore the boundaries of consciousness through his polygraph experiments with both plants and human cells.
Legacy and Impact on Modern Science
Cleve Backster’s work, while controversial, has left a lasting impression on the field of polygraphy and beyond. His Zone Comparison Technique remains a foundational methodology in polygraph science, widely used by professionals today. Despite the skepticism surrounding his primary perception research, Backster’s willingness to push the boundaries of conventional scientific thinking has kept his name relevant in discussions about consciousness, mind-body connections, and the interconnectedness of life.
Backster passed away on June 24, 2013, but his work continues to inspire those interested in the edges of human understanding, from polygraph technology to the enigmatic phenomena he spent his life studying.
In conclusion, Cleve Backster’s career epitomizes a unique blend of rigorous scientific inquiry and bold, unconventional experimentation. While his primary perception theory remains disputed, his contributions to polygraph technology and his exploration of consciousness provoke thought, challenge mainstream views, and ensure his legacy as a pioneer of both polygraph science and the wider conversation on the mysteries of life.
Cleve Backster: A Brief Overview of His Groundbreaking Contributions
- Polygraph and Cellular Research:
- Backster conducted groundbreaking experiments where living cells, taken from a person’s mouth, were placed in a test tube connected to a polygraph machine to measure physiological responses. He believed these cells could react to external events, challenging conventional scientific thought.
- Laboratory Location:
- Backster’s laboratory was located on the fifth floor of the San Diego Daily Transcript Building, where he worked in a suite filled with polygraphs, microscopes, aquariums, and video equipment for his experiments.
- Primary Perception Theory:
- Backster developed the “primary perception” theory, which suggested that living organisms, including plants and human cells, could perceive and react to external stimuli, even when isolated from their host bodies.
- Famous Plant Experiment (1966):
- In 1966, Backster famously connected a Dracaena plant to a polygraph, hypothesizing that the plant would show a reaction to a threat of harm. He interpreted the plant’s physiological responses as signs of awareness or stress.
- Popularizing the “Plants Have Feelings” Concept:
- Backster’s research into plant reactions was popularized in the late 1960s and 1970s, leading to the widespread belief that plants could have feelings. His work became part of a cultural trend, encouraging people to talk to their plants.
- Expanding Beyond Plants:
- Beyond plants, Backster extended his research to various biological specimens, including human cells. His experiments suggested that isolated cells could exhibit physiological responses to events happening to the person from whom they were taken.
- Skepticism and Controversy:
- Backster’s research was met with skepticism from the scientific community. His claims about primary perception were often criticized for lacking scientific rigor, and his findings were difficult to replicate under controlled conditions.
- Backster Zone Comparison Technique (ZCT):
- In the 1960s, Backster developed the Backster Zone Comparison Technique (ZCT), a polygraph methodology that improved the accuracy of lie detection by comparing physiological responses to different types of questions. This technique remains a widely used polygraph method today.
- CIA and Polygraph Work:
- Backster was a CIA polygraph examiner and played a critical role in refining polygraph techniques for interrogation purposes. His expertise in this area became widely respected, and he later founded the Backster School of Lie Detection in 1959.
- Research Foundation:
- In 1965, Backster established a separate research foundation dedicated to refining polygraph instruments and techniques. However, his work took an unexpected turn after his famous plant experiment in 1966, which shifted his focus toward primary perception.
- Nocturnal Work Habits:
- Backster had a unique work schedule, often working late into the night, sometimes until 3:30 a.m. His lab was filled with various plants, including his original Dracaena plant from the 1966 experiment, which continued to thrive under his care.
- Legacy in Popular Culture:
- Although his research was controversial, Backster’s ideas about plant consciousness left a significant mark on popular culture. His work inspired books such as “The Secret Life of Plants” and contributed to a lasting belief in the interconnectedness of all living things.
Key sources of information about Cleve Backster and his groundbreaking work
- Backster’s own publications and interviews:
- Cleve Backster’s direct research publications and his work with polygraph technology and primary perception.
- Interviews given to major publications like the Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and Harper’s in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Books:
- “The Secret Life of Plants” by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird: A widely known book that popularized Backster’s work on plant consciousness and primary perception.
- Polygraph-related research:
- Sources and texts on polygraph science, such as “The Lie Detector Test” by David Thoreson Lykken, which discusses the history of polygraphy and mentions Backster’s contributions.
- Research materials and archives from the Backster School of Lie Detection, which also delve into his ZCT technique and polygraph innovations.
- Journal Articles:
- Academic and scientific articles on the Backster Zone Comparison Technique (ZCT) and the broader field of polygraph examinations.
- Critiques and scientific evaluations published in journals that examine Backster’s controversial primary perception theory, as well as general polygraph methodology.
- Historical Profiles:
- Profiles or biographies on notable figures in polygraphy often mention Cleve Backster’s contributions, particularly in early CIA polygraph practices and his later independent research.
- Cultural References:
- Popular media from the 1960s and 1970s, such as articles or features in magazines discussing the broader cultural fascination with Backster’s experiments on plant consciousness.
These sources provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding Cleve Backster’s contributions to polygraphy and his controversial primary perception research.
- San Diego Reader: An in-depth article titled “Cleve Backster – The Man Who Talks with Plants” (November 24, 1982) provides insight into Backster’s media presence and his experiments with plants and polygraph technology
- Psi Encyclopedia: This source provides a comprehensive overview of Backster’s life, research, and the scientific community’s reaction to his primary perception theory. It discusses his experiments with plant and cellular reactions
- The Sun Magazine: Derrick Jensen’s interview with Cleve Backster, published in The Sun Magazine (July 1997), offers a detailed account of Backster’s primary perception experiments and his reflections on his work
- Wikipedia: Cleve Backster’s Wikipedia page summarizes his contributions to polygraph technology, his controversial research on plant communication, and the scientific criticism of his theories
