Possible Scientific Reasons for Paranormal Activity With many different viewpoints on what exactly paranormal activity is, it is difficult to add it to scientific discussions and research. There are many other rational explanations behind many instances and happenings of paranormal experiences. Here we look at some of these realistic explanations. Sleep Paralysis Not everyone claiming to have witnessed paranormal activity can be seen as wrong. Sometimes these experiences might feel extremely real due to sleep paralysis. This is one way in which some scientists approach irrational explanations of the phenomenon. Sleep paralysis occurs when the usual rhythm of sleep is disrupted and is a physical state. Rapid eye movement is a type of sleep known to occur when dreaming. <!–more–> The eyes are extremely active under shut eyelids while the rest of the body is relaxed and almost paralysed. An explanation for this is that it prevents us from acting out while we sleep. Sleep paralysis happens when the body wakes up before it should from Rapid Eye Movement sleep. This means that you are still dreaming but can see and not move. This can be a terrifying experience for some people as it can accompany unsettling phenomena. Many people claim a strange presence in the bedroom or pressure on the chest which can be extremely tough to handle and be traumatising to some. During sleep paralysis, hallucinations may occur, and this explains how one can feel an unknown presence in the vicinity. Pareidolia Pareidolia is another reasonable explanation for paranormal experiences. Our brains are extremely smart and are always working. Although, it is not uncommon for glitches to occur now and then. The main function of the brain can be seen as the mechanism which makes sense of the world around you. Throughout our daily activities, there are many things taking place which the brain needs to deal with including sound, smell, and sight. The brain needs to make sense of all these incoming cues. Sometimes the brain can collect logic where there might not be any, and simply go with the most logical explanation that is received. Read more articles on parasearch.org.uk and visit frequently to stay up to date on new articles and discussions on the Paranormal.
Sceptical Scientific Investigations into the Paranormal As paranormal activity can’t be proven, it is not viewed as a subject that can be investigated thoroughly through science. There are no facts or proof to work with regarding a phenomenon that is based on feelings of presence by supernatural beings or ghosts. This creates many discussions within scientific circles. As all scientists are sceptical about the presence of paranormal activities and ghosts, believers of the phenomena regularly try to prove and build facts on these happenings. With many researchers and investigators working on the topic of the paranormal, there has never been factual evidence presented in any form to validate any form of paranormal activity. Sceptical scientists look at and advocate investigation into claims of paranormal phenomena by applying scientific methods to reach rational explanations of the phenomena to account for the paranormal claims. They take into account the alleged paranormal activities and occurrences which are sometimes hoaxes or misinterpretations of the natural explanations of the activity. An organisation that is at the forefront of sceptical scientific investigations in the phenomenon is the Committee for Sceptical Inquiry. They aim to publicise the scientific approach towards claims of paranormal activities. Richard Wiseman who works for the Committee draws attention to possible alternative explanations for perceived paranormal activities in many articles spanning over years of writing. Some of his research has proven interesting facts such as that 15% of the human race believe they have experienced the presence of ghosts or other supernatural beings. It is believed by many scientists that feeling a presence or hearing a presence is an activity within our own brains that create these sensations. It has been stated that these experiences could be explained by stimulating the brain with weak magnetic fields. An investigator with a background in illusion (James Randi) has said the simplest explanation for those claiming these experiences is often trickery. These opinions by scientists are regarded by many as evidence of non-existence in the paranormal and its activities. Many activities have been proven to be hoaxes, yet there are still many unexplained happenings throughout the world that cannot be denied or verified by scientists.
Overview of Paranormal Research Approaching the paranormal with research is most difficult due to the lack of acceptable evidence from most of the purported paranormal activities. The paranormal does not conform to conventional expectations of nature and thus makes it impossible to use scientific confirmation. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different approaches taken into researching paranormal phenomenon and their activities. Anecdotal Approach This research approach involves collections of stories told throughout the years about paranormal phenomena. The best-known collector of paranormal anecdotes is Charles Fort, who is believed to have collected over 40 000 notes on unexplained paranormal experiences which he collected over many years in different ways. These notes came from what he called ”The Orthodox Conventionality of Science”, which can be seen at odd events reported in magazines and newspapers. These anecdotal collections lack the reproducibility of empirical evidence and are not amenable to the scientific investigation as it lacks verification of the credibility. Participant-Observer Approach Participant observation claims that by immersing into the subject, you are presumed to gain an understanding of the subject. As with all other approaches, the participant-observer approach is criticised as a data-gathering technique. It is also believed by many scientists to be a core threat to the scientific objectivity of the researcher. This approach has been used with many reality tv-shows and tells the stories of individual and private ghost hunter groups that advocate paranormal phenomena and their activities. Parapsychology Approach Parapsychologist J.B Rhine has been at the forefront of conducting an experimental investigation of the paranormal. He popularised the methodology of using card-guessing and dice-rolling experiments in a laboratory to find evidence of paranormal activity. However, it was proven to have methodological flaws and procedural errors. The Parapsychological Association was formed in 1957 as the preeminent society for parapsychologists. They grew and became affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1969. These approaches are still used today in researching and trying to prove paranormal phenomena and their activities.
