Parapsychology “Most sciences try to explain observable phenomena. Parapsychologists try to observe unexplainable phenomena.” Modified from the work of Ashley Durkee and Jason Hester

Parapsychology The study of certain reported, but unsubstantiated events that have no presently known explanation. The study of certain reported, but unsubstantiated events that have no presently known explanation. No parapsychology experiment has ever been shown to have both positive results and the ability to be replicated by independent researchers. No parapsychology experiment has ever been shown to have both positive results and the ability to be replicated by independent researchers.

ESP: Extrasensory Perception ESP is the most testable and well known area of parapsychology ESP is the most testable and well known area of parapsychology Often referred to as the “6 th sense.” Often referred to as the “6 th sense.” 4 main types of ESP: 4 main types of ESP: Telepathy Telepathy Clairvoyance Clairvoyance Precognition Precognition Psychokinesis Psychokinesis

Telepathy The ability of one person to send thoughts to another, or to perceive another's thoughts, without using any of the recognized senses. The ability of one person to send thoughts to another, or to perceive another's thoughts, without using any of the recognized senses. Term was coined by F. W. Myers in Term was coined by F. W. Myers in Popularized by fictional novels and movies. Popularized by fictional novels and movies.

Clairvoyance French for “clear seeing” French for “clear seeing” The ability to “see” information about people, objects, or locations without using any of the recognized senses. The ability to “see” information about people, objects, or locations without using any of the recognized senses. Includes crystal gazing, aura reading and tea leaf reading. Includes crystal gazing, aura reading and tea leaf reading.

Precognition The ability to gain knowledge of a future event or circumstance not through inference or deduction, but by paranormal means. The ability to gain knowledge of a future event or circumstance not through inference or deduction, but by paranormal means. Precognition is what most people mean when using the term “psychic.” Precognition is what most people mean when using the term “psychic.”

Precognition Can include dream interpretation Can include dream interpretation –Many people believe dreams predict the future Ex. Joseph in the Old Testament Ex. Joseph in the Old Testament

Psychokinesis The ability to move, bend, melt or otherwise physically manipulate objects simply with thought The ability to move, bend, melt or otherwise physically manipulate objects simply with thought Sometimes also called telekinesis Sometimes also called telekinesis Made popular by illusionists like Uri Gellar Made popular by illusionists like Uri Gellar

Origin of Belief in ESP The term “ESP” was used as early as the late 19 th century to describe the ability of a person who had been hypnotized or who was in a trance state, yet could sense things without using the understood senses. The term “ESP” was used as early as the late 19 th century to describe the ability of a person who had been hypnotized or who was in a trance state, yet could sense things without using the understood senses. Claims of ESP, however, goes back at least as far as Biblical times. Claims of ESP, however, goes back at least as far as Biblical times.

Origins of Belief in ESP In Western culture, the founders of the study of parapsychology were mostly people who lost their religious faith and began searching for a scientific basis for believing in the meaning of life and life after death (Alcock, 1985; Beloff, 1985). In Western culture, the founders of the study of parapsychology were mostly people who lost their religious faith and began searching for a scientific basis for believing in the meaning of life and life after death (Alcock, 1985; Beloff, 1985).

Persistence of Belief in ESP Misperceptions and Coincidences Misperceptions and Coincidences –Psychic connection between twins Confirmation Bias/Selective Recall Confirmation Bias/Selective Recall –Recollection of eerie happenings in a way that supports your own beliefs Misinterpretation of Data Misinterpretation of Data –Inconsistent measuring techniques

Persistence of Belief in ESP A survey published in 1987 by Univ. of Chicago found that 67% of all adult Americans believe they have experienced ESP, up from 58% in A survey published in 1987 by Univ. of Chicago found that 67% of all adult Americans believe they have experienced ESP, up from 58% in According to leading Russian scientists, "Many people believe in clairvoyance, astrology, and other superstitions to compensate for the psychological discomforts of our time." According to leading Russian scientists, "Many people believe in clairvoyance, astrology, and other superstitions to compensate for the psychological discomforts of our time."

What the Skeptics Say Most of the evidence for ESP is anecdotal and is dismissed by skeptics as based on one or more of the following: Most of the evidence for ESP is anecdotal and is dismissed by skeptics as based on one or more of the following: Incompetence or fraud by parapsychologists Incompetence or fraud by parapsychologists Cold reading (letting the subject explain meaning) Cold reading (letting the subject explain meaning) Subjective validation (finding personal meaning in the random) Subjective validation (finding personal meaning in the random) Selective thinking and Confirmation bias Selective thinking and Confirmation bias Poor grasp of probabilities and of the law of truly large numbers Poor grasp of probabilities and of the law of truly large numbers Too easily falsifiable Too easily falsifiable Gullibility, self-deception, and wishful thinking Gullibility, self-deception, and wishful thinking

What the Skeptics Say After thousands of experiments, a reproducible ESP phenomenon has never been discovered, nor has anyone produced any individual who can convincingly demonstrate psychic ability. After thousands of experiments, a reproducible ESP phenomenon has never been discovered, nor has anyone produced any individual who can convincingly demonstrate psychic ability. A National Research Council investigation of ESP concluded that "the best available evidence does not support the contention that these phenomena exist.” A National Research Council investigation of ESP concluded that "the best available evidence does not support the contention that these phenomena exist.”

What the Skeptics Say U.S. National Research Council (1988) –A 2 year study concluded there was no scientific justification from research conducted over 130 years for the existence of parapsychological phenomena. –“The best scientific evidence does not justify that ESP - that is, gathering information about objects or thoughts without the intervention of known sensory mechanisms - exists.”

Pursuit of Parapsychology Still, over 200 colleges and universities in the U.S. alone have courses in parapsychology with many offering degrees in the subject. Still, over 200 colleges and universities in the U.S. alone have courses in parapsychology with many offering degrees in the subject. John F. Kennedy University’s Graduate School of Consciousness Studies offers a master’s degree in parapsychology. John F. Kennedy University’s Graduate School of Consciousness Studies offers a master’s degree in parapsychology.