Research

Objective and subjective reality

What is reality? We attempt to examine this fundamental question empirically. We are particularly interested in the interplay between objective and subjective reality.

Maier, M. A., & Dechamps, M. C.(2025). Macroscopic Complementary Relation Between Subjective Observations and Objective Measurements of Color. Journal of Anomalistics, 25(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.23793/zfa.2025.015

Maier, M. A., Geissler, C., DeMattia, E. C., Vogel, A., & Dechamps, M. C. (2024). Complementarity of Subjective and Objective Realities An Experimental Investigation of Variations of Subjective Self-reported Intelligence. Journal of Anomalistics, 24(1), 15-54. https://doi.org/10.23793/zfa.2024.015

Maier, M. A., Dechamps, M. C., & Rabeyron, T. (2022). Quantum Measurement as Pragmatic Information Transfer: Observer Effects on (S)objective Reality Formation. Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition, 2(1), 16–48. https://doi.org/10.31156/jaex.23535

Mind-matter interactions

Can the mind influence the physical world? We investigate how far the power of the psyche extends and whether we help shape the world around us according to our implicit beliefs.

Dechamps, M. C. (2025). Meta-Analysis of a Complete Micro-PK Database from the LMU Lab: Years 2016-2025. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13623031. Retrieved from https://mrzdcmps.github.io/labreport

Jakob, M.-J*., Dechamps, M. C.*, & Maier, M. A. (2024). Testing the Effects of Personality-Related Beliefs on Micro-PK. Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition, 4(1), 34–59. https://doi.org/10.31156/jaex.23809

Dechamps, M. C.*, Maier, M. A.*, Pflitsch, M., & Duggan, M. (2021). Observer Dependent Biases of Quantum Randomness: Effect Stability and Replicability. Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition, 1(1-2). https://doi.org/10.31156/jaex.23205

Jakob, M-J.*, Dechamps, M. C.*, and Maier, M. A. (2020). You Attract what You Are:
The Effect of Unconscious Needs on Micro-Psychokinesis. Journal of Parapsychology, 84, 227-253. http://doi.org/10.30891/jopar.2020.02.06

Dechamps, M. C., & Maier, M. A. (2019). How Smokers Change Their World and How the World Responds: Testing the Oscillatory Nature of Micro-Psychokinetic Observer Effects on Addiction-Related Stimuli. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 33(3). https://doi.org/10.31275/2019/1513

Maier, M. A., Dechamps, M. C., & Pflitsch, M. (2018). Intentional Observer Effects on Quantum Randomness: A Bayesian Analysis Reveals Evidence Against Micro-Psychokinesis. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00379

Maier, M. A.*, & Dechamps, M. C.* (2018). Observer effects on quantum randomness: Testing Micro-psychokinetic effects of smokers on addiction-related stimuli. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 32(2). https://doi.org/10.31275/2018.1250

Free Will

Is there such a thing as non-deterministic free will? Even though it may feel that way to us, the question of whether our decisions are truly autonomous or predetermined remains unanswered. We are attempting to investigate this empirically.

Expectancy Effects

How big is the influence of our expectations? Phenomena such as the placebo effect and self-fulfilling prophecies suggest that expectation effects play an immense role in our everyday experience. We want to explore the limits of these effects.

Dechamps, M. C., & Schweizer, M. T. (2025). Expect to Be Correct - Using a Bogus Priming Method to Alter Test Confidence Fails to Improve Performance in a General Knowledge Test. [Manuscript in preparation]. Department of Psychology, LMU Munich

Psychometrics of Artificial Intelligence

Does artificial intelligence possess human characteristics? Do constructs such as motivation mean anything to it, or does it merely simulate psychological constructs? We work with large language models as test subjects.

Dechamps, M. C., Mysliwczyk, N., & Maier, M. A. (2025). Measuring Intrinsic Motivation of LLMs [Manuscript in Preparation]. Department of Psychology, LMU Munich.

Lab Meetings

Are you a student interested in our research?

You are welcome to learn more about this at our research colloquium ("Lab Meeting"). Please register at allgemeine2@psy.lmu.de.