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Evans, Christopher (Riche) (1931-1979)

British psychologist and anthropologist who conducted re-search in parapsychology. Born May 29, 1931, in Aberdovey, Wales, Evans trained as a psychologist at University College, London, and the University of Reading, receiving a doctorate in psychology. He was a founder and secretary of the Brain Re-search Association and a member of the British Psychological Association, the Behavioral Psychotherapy Association, and the Ergonomics Research Society.

He took a special interest in computer technology and helped to develop the "computer doctor" Mickie, which elicited diagnostic information from patients by asking computerized questions. Evans was Principal Scientific Officer of the National Physical Laboratory, London, and a contributing editor to the U.S. magazine Omni. He acted as an investigative reporter and news correspondent at scientific conventions in Britain, Europe, and the United States.

As a member of the Society for Psychical Research, London, he conducted parapsychological investigations. Evans was responsible for a questionnaire that got 1,500 responses from readers about psychic phenomena. His conclusions were published in New Scientist January 25, 1973, and showed that 63 percent of the respondents possessed degrees, and of those 29 percent had advanced degrees. In February 1974 he conducted a survey of telepathic or ESP faculties on West German television. Over 50,000 viewers participated, and the results threw doubt on the sheep-goat hypothesis of parapsychologist Gertrude Schmeidler, which posits that believers in ESP score higher than disbelievers.

Evans published several books but is best remembered for his attack upon new religions, Cults of Unreason (1973), which examines a variety of newer religions and belief systems, including Scientology, UFOs, black boxes (devices for diagnosing disease), and some popular Eastern religions. Although mainly skeptical in tone, and while critical of some of the unfounded scientific claims, such as those supporting the black boxes, the book often veers into mere rhetoric directed against those holding religious ideas with which Evans disagrees. Evans died October 10, 1979.