Abduction Phenomenon

Budd Hopkins

Budd Hopkins is a world-renowned artist, author, and pioneer UFO abduction researcher. Having investigated well over 700 cases, he now heads the Intruders Foundation, a nonprofit, scientific research and support organization. Taken together, his three books, Missing Time, 1981, Intruders, 1987, and Witnessed, 1996, are widely regarded by researchers and skeptics alike as comprising the most influential series of books yet published on the abduction phenomenon. These works, Hopkins' lectures, and his other presentations have been responsible for bringing a number of other noted researchers-David Jacobs, John Carpenter, Yvonne Smith, and John Mack, among others-into this extraordinary area of specialization.

David Jacobs, Ph.D.

David M. Jacobs, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of History at Temple University specializing in twentieth century American history and culture. Dr. Jacobs began researching the controversy over unidentified flying objects in America in the mid 1960's, and has amassed over 35 years of primary research data and analytical hypotheses on the subject. Since 1973 Dr. Jacobs has continued to devote most of his professional and personal energies to researching the UFO phenomenon in general, and the abduction phenomenon in particular. Having conducted over 750 hypnotic regressions with over 125 abductees, Dr. Jacobs is one of the foremost UFO abduction researchers worldwide. As a result of his extensive primary research, he has developed the first scientific typology of the abduction experience.

John Mack, M.D.

John E. Mack, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Center for Psychology & Social Change, explores how extraordinary experiences can affect personal, societal and global transformation. He is the author of many books detailing how one's perceptions shape relationships with one another and with the world, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of T.E. Lawrence, A Prince of Our Disorder, Abduction, and Passport to the Cosmos: Human Transformation and Alien Encounters.

Abduction by Aliens or Sleep Paralysis? (Skeptical)

Susan Blackmore, Skeptical Inquirer Magazine, May/June 1998

A Roper Poll claimed that nearly four million Americans have had certain "indicator" experiences and therefore had probably been abducted by aliens. But a study of 126 school children and 224 undergraduates shows knowledge of aliens is related more to watching television than to having the relevant experiences.  R

Abductions: A Report on the Roper Analysis Data

Geraldo Fuentes, ViewZone Magazine

In the typical "alien abduction," the victim is paralyzed by some unknown force, taken to a small circular room, and then examined and probed by a number of large-eyed, gray skinned, hairless, short creatures. Tissues and cells are sampled and subcutaneous implants are often installed. R

Abductions: The Boundary Deficit Hypothesis (Skeptical?)

by Martin Kottmeyer, Magonia

As claims about the reality of alien abductions multiply, the assertion is increasingly heard that psychology offers little or no insight into how such experiences could occur if they are unreal. Abductees are normal people.

Abductions: The Truth

John C. Thompson

Until clouded abduction reports are placed in the true paranormal arena they belong, ufologists cannot expect mainstream scientists to seriously investigate UFO sightings. There is no proof that extraterrestrials are kidnapping people. There are tens of thousands of credible anomalous airborne sightings by equally amazing numbers of impressive and reliable witnesses to suggest many UFOs are real. Ufologists need to work with what they have the best chance to scientifically prove.  R

Alien Abduction and Hypnosis

Nick Pope

In a landmark decision, the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) [in the U.K.] has issued a policy statement concerning alien abductions. So far as I am aware, this is the first time that any of the professional bodies representing British hypnotherapists has made an official pronouncement on this issue, let alone issued guidance to its members.

Alien Abductions - Events During a Typical Abduction Experience

Davy Russell, X-Project

The following is a presentation of events which occur during a typical alien abduction. This information was obtained from many abduction reports that I have studied.

An Examination of the Alien Abduction Phenomenon and Associated Psychological Theories

What is compelling about abduction cases is the amount of similar, highly detailed information that abductees report. Detailed descriptions of passage to and from the craft, physical procedures and tests, surgical-type instruments, and descriptions of the aliens themselves, come from many different abductees who have never met one another. Until recently these stories were not available in the media. Abductees come from all walks of life, age groups, and ethnic backgrounds.  R

Arguments against Psychosis Explaining the ‘Alien Abduction’ Scenario

Brian P James

Over a period of four years from 1999 to 2003 I unfortunately had the opportunity to study the effects of such psychoses first hand, and from this I believe there is a very strong argument against this simply explaining the alien encounter experience/scenario.

Catalogue of Australian and New Zealand Abduction and Potential Abduction Cases

Keith Basterfield

Extensive catalogue of cases compiled by Keith Basterfield, with brief descriptions of the cases.

Catalogue of Australian and New Zealand Abduction and Potential Abduction Cases

Keith Basterfield

A collection of abduction and possible abduction cases from Australia and New Zealand.

Clinical Discrepancies Between Expected and Observed Data in Patients Reporting UFO Abductions: Implications For Treatment

Rima E. Laibow, M.D.

It should be noted that this paper makes no attempt to assign or withhold external validity relative to UFO abduction scenarios. Patients who believe themselves to be UFO abductees are a heterogeneous group widely dispersed along demographic and cultural lines. Careful examination of these patients and their abduction reports presents four areas of significant discrepancy between expected and observed data. Implications for the treatment of patients presenting UFO abduction scenarios are discussed. R

Danger from the Skies - A Review of David M. Jacobs' Book 'The Threat'

Greg Sandow

In "The Threat," David Jacobs says the aliens are about to get us. But does he have any evidence? (A book review.)

Exploring African and Other Alien Abductions

Dominique Callimanopulos

The Ariel School sighting is one of the most significant in recent UFO history. ...The event lasted about fifteen minutes, the children said, before the spaceships faded from view. But even in their state of fear, many of the children reported also being curious and fascinated by the strange beings they saw, whose eyes in particular commanded an intense attention. R

Harvard Professor Takes Alien Abduction Seriously

George Knapp, Las Vegas Mercury, January 30, 2003 (UFO Area)

I first met Dr. John Mack in 1993 at a tiny UFO conference in the Ozarks. The publication of Dr. Mack's book about alleged alien abductions was still a year away, but the fact that a professor from the Harvard Medical School was taking the phenomena seriously was big news in the UFO field. Mack was an immediate celebrity, although he seemed to wear the mantle with some reluctance.

Hypnotised abductees; Seeing truth or building confabulations? (skeptical of hypnosis)

Paul Novak, X-Project

Hypnosis has become a most popular tool in the field of abduction research. The understanding of its intents and abilities by the general public though are still widely relegated to the earliest erroneous notions of its being a trancelike state with suggestability and retrieval of repressed memories being the most noteable of these traits. Research into the validity of hypnosis and its traits has been done for 200 years yet the only truly revealing research has taken place in the last 30 or so odd years. Research which has shown a much different facet of its nature.

Kidnapped by UFOs? - Interview With Carl Sagan

PBS NOVA - Kidnapped by UFOs?

Interview with scientists, author, and UFO skeptic Carl Sagan, focusing on the abduction phenomenon. R

Kidnapped by UFOs? - Interview with Philip Klass

PBS NOVA - Kidnapped by UFOs?

Interview with prominent UFO skeptic Phil Klass. R

PBA NOVA: 'Kidnapped by UFOs': Program Transcript

PBS NOVA

The complete transcript of the PBS television program NOVA's "Kidnapped by UFOs" about the alien abduction phenomenon, featuring Betty Hill, Budd Hopkins, John Mack, Carl Sagan, several alleged abductees, and others.  R

PBS NOVA: "Kidnapped by UFOs?" - Program Transcript

Full transcript of the PBS NOVA television program special on the abduction phenomenon.

Researching Alien Abductions

C. Leigh Culver, Cl.H.

This article will discuss useful methods that may be used in researching and obtaining data concerning apparent abductions or close encounters. The use of hypnosis as well as other research adjuncts will be discussed.  R

Statement from Dr. John Mack - SCI FI Abduction Symposium

Dr. John Mack, Center for Psychology and Social Change

The complete text of the opening remarks Dr. Mack planned to present at the November 19 symposium. R

The Abduction Conundrum

Greg Sandow

An attempt to look at abductions objectively, with 52 footnotes, due attention to the arguments on both sides, and a little humor, too. But do the aliens really call themselves 'Zorphs'?

The Abduction Experience: A Critical Evaluation of Theory and Evidence (PDF format)

Stuart Appelle, in Journal of UFO Studies

Prevalent hypotheses regarding the etiology of the abduction experience are examined, especially in regard to the existing evidence. Deception, suggestibility (fantasy-proneness, hypnotizability, false-memory syndrome), personality, sleep phenomena, psychopathology, psychodynamics, environmental factors, and event-level alien encounters are each considered as origins of the abduction experience. The data are discussed in terms of what is and is not consistent with theory, the concept of parsimony, and the need for converging lines of evidence in establishing linkages between fact and theory. On the basis of this analysis, it is argued that no theory yet enjoys enough empirical support to be accepted as a general explanation for the abduction experience. The concept of the abduction experience as a multicausal phenomenon is discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided.

The Linda Cortile Case

Greg Sandow

An abduction that, supposedly, was witnessed by two federal agents and the Secretary-General of the U.N. -- and that's only the beginning of the most unbelievable UFO case ever vouched for by a major UFO investigator. Could any of it be true?

The Scientific Context of the UFO/Abduction Phenomenon

Don Donderi, Ph.D

The purpose of this essay is to explain how to clarify the evidence for or against the reality of UFO abductions. Many workers in this field have modified the conventional meaning of both the word "reality" and the word "abduction." I do not accept these modifications. A UFO abduction, if it occurs, is a physical event. R

Victim Mentality In Abductees: An Unacceptable Concept

Ann Druffel, Flying Saucer Review, Volume 45/3, Autumn 2000, pp. 18-21

During a magic 2.5 hours with Art Bell on COAST TO COAST, I fielded intelligent questions from numerous listeners and will presently appear on DREAMLAND with Whitley Strieber. All this demonstrates the interest in the subject of "resisters" who successfully tell the abduction phenomenon, whatever it is, to go away and quit bothering them. R

Aliens and Children

Michael Menkin

This website features a series of drawings made by children who were abducted by aliens for the alien purpose of creating a new race of alien/human hybrids. The drawings show different aspects of the alien abduction phenomenon and include cruel medical procedures performed on children, children boarding alien spacecraft with other aliens, children playing with alien/hybrid children so the alien/hybrids can learn how to be human, and children being taken by aliens against their will, and the types of aliens encountered by the abducted children.

EBE Online - Alien Abductions

Collectino of articles on the abduction phenomenon.

Passport to the Cosmos - John Mack, M.D.

This website is an archive of some of the best interviews and writings of (and about) Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Harvard professor of psychiatry John E. Mack, M.D.