ABSTRACT

Many people believe that they have experienced paranormal phenomena and others claim to possess psychic abilities. For the past hundred years or so, researchers have undertaken systematic and scientific work into these alleged experiences and abilities. This collection of articles provides readers with a general sense of the methods used in this research, the findings that have been obtained and the controversies generated by this work. They cover a wide range of issues, including the psychology of paranormal belief, investigations into ghosts and hauntings, laboratory research into extra-sensory perception and psychokinesis, and controlled tests of psychics and mediums. An introductory essay sets each of the selected papers in context and provides additional references for those wishing to delve deeper into the issues surrounding each of the areas covered.

part 1|1 pages

Outside the Lab: Paranormal Beliefs and Experiences

chapter 2|19 pages

Psychology and Coincidences

chapter 3|22 pages

Fantastic Memories

The Relevance of Research into Eyewitness Testimony and False Memories for Reports of Anomalous Experiences

part 4|1 pages

Psychokinesis and Distant Mental Influence

chapter 24|22 pages

Give the Null Hypothesis a Chance

Reasons to Remain Doubtful about the Existence of Psi

part 5|1 pages

Experimenters’ Personal Perspectives

chapter 25|12 pages

The Elusive Open Mind: Ten Years of Negative Research in Parapsychology

What does a psychologist who’s had an extraordinary experience do? Sets up a research program to test for psi. The lessons are surprising