Women in Science and Medicine at the Rubenstein Library: Parapsychology

The papers of Louisa E. Rhine span the years 1890 to 1983 and include journals, correspondence, writings, genealogical papers, notebooks, pictures, and miscellaneous papers relating principally to her work and research with her husband J.B. Rhine in the field of parapsychology, including the impact of this work on their personal and professional lives.

Chiefly research data which Schmeidler gathered through her work with psychology students at the City College of the City University of New York and her colleagues in the parapsychological field. Includes correspondence, writings, and research files. Reflected in much of the research is the work for which she is most notable, the development of the metaphor of sheep and goats. Also contained in the research are her studies of how various surroundings, physical conditions, and personality traits can affect extrasensory perception abilities, utilizing several methods, including Saul Rosenzweig's Picture Frustration Study and Rorschach inkblots.

The collection contains correspondence and greeting cards, including correspondence with John Craig Wheeler (considered the father of “black holes” ) on parapsychology and its intersection with theoretical physics. McMahan was an entomologist (termite biology), psychologist, cartoonist, and writer of children's books.