Parapsychology & The Psychic Sciences

What is Parapsychology?

A lot of people confuse this term with paranormal investigation, or “ghost-hunting” as it’s become known in recent years.  However, parapsychology is far more than spirits.  In fact, it usually has little to do with them, aside from the study of consciousness after death.  Parapsychology is a research-based field, dominated by study and investigation of the  psychic sciences.  Does this mean all parapsychologists are psychics?  No, it does not.  Surprisingly few parapsychologists have any actual personal experience with these phenomena.  While some people gifted with parapsychic abilities are drawn to the field in search of answers (as was my case), most parapsychologists pursue it strictly from a direction of scientific curiosity.  Parapsychologists study claims of paranormal abilities (and the evidence of them in those previously tested) in others in an effort to better understand how these abilities occur and how they work.  Few parapsychologists actually work strictly in the field.  Most work as teachers and lecturers, and others work in another career which may or may not parallel their work in parapsychology.  My own primary background is in history and theology, which I use in my research into paranormal phenomena of all types.

Does parapsychology involve study UFOs, Big Foot, the Loch Ness monster, or the like?  No.  While these may be fascinating subjects to xenobiologists and cryptozoologists, they are not considered a concentration of parapsychology. Does parapsychology involve investigation of ghosts and spirits?  In some ways, yes, as the continuation of the psyche and spirit after death are areas of study in parapsychology, and the concept of reincarnation is contained in many parapsychological studies.  However, the primary concentration of parapsychology is in what are sometimes described as “psychic sciences.”

Psychic sciences, sometimes also known as parapsychic phenomena, are the manifestations of extrasensory perceptions and mind-over-matter abilities.  These include (but are not limited to) telepathy, clairvoyance, clairaudience, psychokinesis (commonly referred to as PK, and often evidenced in poltergeist activity) and mediumistic abilities.

While able to be broken down into more specialized classifications, some of the most common general psychic sciences studied are:

Telepathy -

Though the term was first coined by FWH Myers in 1882, the idea of telepathy is much older than modern parapsychology. Throughout history, there exists anecdotal evidence of this ability, in the knowledge by one person of events they should have no knowledge of.  Chief among these tales are tribal legends of people and entities  -particularly the latter – known to “pluck the thoughts from a man’s head and know his heart’s desire” (an ability ascribed by poets to the Sirens who lured sailors to their deaths with their sweet songs).  Even in Mesopotamia and Asia, stories exist of those who knew secrets they could have obtained through no other method.

There is plenty of modern evidence to suggest the existence of telepathy, as well.  Most are ascribed to what are known as “crisis events” – in which a person in grave danger or on the brink of death imparts some final information to a relative, friend, or acquaintance.  However, there are studied cases of what is also known as “conscious telepathy” – the obtaining of information from another against their will.  So far, there’s been very little established evidence of the possibility this could happen, though conspiracy theorists claim that this concept was put to constant test during the so-called attempted Mind Wars between the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War.  This particular use – and the existence of any such agencies – remains a matter of great debate between parapsychologists and conspiracy theorists.

Clairvoyance/Clairaudience –

Defined literally as “clear seeing” and “clear hearing,” these are considered abilities by which a claimed psychic manifests information about their surroundings and the people in it.  There is a great deal of research into this area, currently, but the concept of both is as old as humanity.  To ancient man, these mediums/psychics were known as prophets, oracles, wise men/women and medicine people.  They were gifted with the abilities to foretell the future, or deliver messages from the gods or ancestors.  Histories, legends, and mythology abounds with these people, known for their depth of vision and ability to hear and interpret the words handed down from the greatness of the Otherworld.

Because of this diverse and rich history of clairvoyance and clairaudience, the logical conclusion would say that this would be the easiest psychic science to prove.  Sadly, this is not the case.  Unfortunately in many cases, the predictions and information given cannot be confirmed, as there is no time-table by which to base them.  The prophesies of Nostradamus, for example, are classic examples of why this particular ability is so hard to study.  Little reference is given to dates, and none to time.  It’s almost impossible to decipher the meanings behind his verse-delivered predictions.  Much the same way, the Christian book of Revelations remains as much a mystery today as it was to the Early Church, with its cryptic references to things clearly outside the prophet’s ability to describe.  Even as recent as Edgar Cayce, the cryptic manner of clairvoyant delivery makes it highly difficult to test for accuracy or evidence.

PK –

Known as psychokinesis or telekinesis, this is the movement of objects through the use of mental/emotional energy.  Often, this psychic ability is the root cause of the phenomenon known as Poltergeist.  Typically manifesting in children around the age of puberty (though by no means strictly confined to this age-group), it is believed to be triggered primarily (but not exclusively) by traumatic events or extreme stresses.

PK is actually one of the easier abilities to test for, as it has an actual manifestation that can be visually and instrumentally recorded.  Subjects under study for PK are often asked to keep a journal of their thoughts and feelings, and when they notice these disturbances.  In this way, parapsychologists are able to study possible triggers for incidents of PK, allowing them to both obtain more information on the phenomenon, and also to assist the subject in controlling their situation, rather than allowing their unbalanced emotions to control them.

~ by esthermitchell on May 8, 2009.