ABSTRACT
Many people believe that they have experienced events which are so strange that they defy any scientific explanation. Such experiences are referred to as “paranormal”, because they cannot be explained by any normal processes known to science. Perhaps a tendency to accept paranormal beliefs might be linked with certain types of personality, thinking style, or experiences and upbringing. Beliefs about paranormal phenomena can also lead to fear and anxiety, as for example with people who live in fear of ghosts and demons, or who are worried about being abducted by aliens. Paranormal research offers a particularly difficult challenge to experimenters, because there are so many factors and possible influences which need to be taken into account when designing an experiment of this sort. Besides investigating the actual validity of paranormal phenomena, another reason why psychologists are interested in paranormal research is that it can teach a great deal about the nature of beliefs and why people adhere to them.
