E-meter
The e-meter , electropsychometer , electrometer or Hubbard electroscope is a device used by the Scientology organization that uses two electrodes held in the hand to make changes in the body's electrical resistance visible as a pointer movement. A medical benefit of the device cannot be proven.
technology
The published circuit diagrams describe a device for displaying changes in the DC resistance between the electrodes with a pointer instrument . By potentiometer on the front side of the device that can zero and the gain of the measuring circuit can be set. This allows the operator to set both the position of the pointer and the strength of the pointer deflection. The pointer deflection can also be influenced by sweating and the pressure of the test person on the hand electrodes.
use
Scientologists state that they can infer psychological states from the movement patterns and that they know and compensate for the disturbance variables. These inferences are mainly used in auditing sessions to achieve the Clear state.
criticism
Neither the method of measurement nor the measurand are recognized by established medicine.
Since the skin resistance is the greatest resistance between the electrodes, critics of Scientology state that they see parallels in the use of the e-meter with a lie detector test , since this is where electrodermal activity is measured.
There is a lack of scientific evidence, especially for the e-meter and the relevant informative value of the device. The final report of one of the German Bundestag's Enquête commissions described the device as "scientifically worthless". A ruling by the United States District Court , District of Columbia, states that the E-Meter has no proven use in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease and that it is not medically or scientifically useful for physical improvement Functions.
Scientology asks for a price list from 2003 for the Mark Super VII Quantum E-Meter model, 7,428 euros, the production costs of the product are estimated at around 100 euros.
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Secrets of Scientology: The E-Meter Version of January 11, 2008.
- ↑ Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Report 2007 (PDF, 2.6 MB, page 317) ( Memento of the original from January 31, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Frank Nordhausen , Liane von Billerbeck : Scientology: How the sect company wants to conquer the world , p. 194
- ↑ Patent US3290589 : Device for measuring and indicating changes in resistance of a living body. Inventor: LR HUBBARD.
- ^ Stellman: Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Volume 2, Physiological Effects 40.3 International Labor Office 4 Sub edition. ISBN 9163054957
- ^ Ingo Heinemann: The Scientology sect and its front organizations . ABI, Stuttgart 1979.
- ^ J. Patrick Reilly, Hermann Antoni: Electrical stimulation and electropathology. Cambridge Univ. Pr., 1992, pp. 35ff, ISBN 978-0521417914
- ↑ Rainer Schandry: Textbook of Psychophysiology. BeltzPVU, 1998, pp. 187ff, ISBN 978-3621274166
- ↑ Final report of the study commission "So-called sects and psychogroups" of the German Bundestag "scientifically worthless" ( RTF ; 80 kB)
- ↑ United States District Court, District of Columbia (333 F. Supp. 357): " The E-meter has no proven usefulness in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease, nor is it medically or scientifically capable of improving any bodily function . "
- ↑ Frank Nordhausen , Liane von Billerbeck: Scientology: How the cult company wants to conquer the world , Christoph Links Verlag, Berlin 2008, p. 194 at Google books
- ↑ Thomas C. Tobin: Scientology: The cornerstones , St. Petersburg Times online, October 28, 1998, last accessed April 22, 2007.
literature
- Bryan R. Wilson : Religious Sects. Kindler, Munich 1970 (Kindler's University Library)
- Patent US3290589 : Device for measuring and indicating changes in resistance of a living body. Inventor: LR Hubbard.
- Patent US2684670 : Electropsychometer or bioelectronic instrument. Inventor: Volney G. Mathison (The Ur-E-Meter).
