The paranormal is a term used to describe phenomena that are not within the scope of ordinary scientific explanation. It encompasses everything from ghosts and UFOs to psychic abilities and the afterlife. Various academic disciplines such as anthropology, folklore and religion have long dabbled in supernatural phenomena. But now, more and more scholars from other fields — including geographers, historians and sociologists — are taking up the mantle.
The word paranormal is derived from the Greek prefix para, meaning above or beyond, and the Latin suffix normal. It is often used to describe a phenomenon that defies the laws of science and does not fit into the logical, causal order of the universe (Kalgi & Simsek, 2020).
Paranormal beliefs include telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, and apparitions, among other things. They also include religious beliefs such as Allah, angels, devils, heaven and hell, Khidr, jinn, saints, and miracles.
A variety of paranormal beliefs and experiences are reported by humans worldwide. Typically, people report having first-hand experience of these events. The most common form of paranormal belief is a belief in the presence of ghosts and other spirits, while other experiences may be attributed to extrasensory perception or ESP.
Researchers have studied the connection between the brain and paranormal experiences. They have found that the right cerebral hemisphere and the hippocampus are related to paranormal beliefs and experiences. They also found that the experience of a paranormal event is linked to a positive self-assessment and a decreased sense of helplessness and powerlessness in life.