So what is Parapsychology?
For many people, parapsychology is seen to be the study of all things paranormal or bizarre, exploring phenomena such as:
And that parapsychologist go around electrocuting participants if they guess the wrong symbol
No.... I’m afraid not
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Well that was a long time ago!
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Parapsychology is the scientific study of experiences which, if they are as they seem to be, are in principle outside the realm of human capabilities as presently conceived by conventional scientists.
(Irwin, H. J., & Watt, C. A. (2007). An Introduction to Parapsychology , Fifth Edition. Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company.)
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With research into Extrasensory perception known as (ESP). This is the ability to acquire information directly, without the use of the recognised human senses or the processes of logical inference (Irwin & Watts, 2007) and Psychokinesis (PK) the movement of physical objects using the mind. These two areas of study are known as Psi
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Parapsychology also explores experiences associated with the Survival Theory (life after death, haunting, poltergeist) and OBEs (out of body experiences) and NDEs (near death experiences).
Although the scientific discipline of Parapsychology, is still relatively new, its development and recognition has steadily been increasing, with a growing number of UK universities offering various courses and research in the field:
Cambridge University - Mind-Matter Unification Project
Coventry University - MSc in Parapsychology
Derby University - Psychology of Paranormal Phenomena Research Group
Edinburgh University - Koestler Parapsychology Unit
Goldsmiths University - Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit
Liverpool Hope University - Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology
Northampton University - Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Processes
York University - Anomalous Experience Research Unit
And with this growth in research, parapsychology can advance.
Although the scientific discipline of Parapsychology, is still relatively new, its development and recognition has steadily been increasing, with a growing number of UK universities offering various courses and research in the field:
Cambridge University - Mind-Matter Unification Project
Coventry University - MSc in Parapsychology
Derby University - Psychology of Paranormal Phenomena Research Group
Edinburgh University - Koestler Parapsychology Unit
Goldsmiths University - Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit
Liverpool Hope University - Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology
Northampton University - Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Processes
York University - Anomalous Experience Research Unit
And with this growth in research, parapsychology can advance.